Free speech discussion

Posting this here rather than debates as it’s a loony house in there.

In the UK the top paid and most prominent sports presenter who is also a famous ex England footballer, has been suspended by the BBC for making tweets on a decisive party political topic.

It’s become a media circus with strongly held views both sides; some because of the topic, some because of the language he used and others because of the apparent suppression of his free speech.

He is a freelance broadcaster who’s contract with the BBC states that he should refrain from making party political statements, although the wording is under question and hasn’t been published.

Several other footballing presenters have decided not to front the program out of solidarity of principle.

Questions:

If a person has signed a contract not to speak publicly on general topics such as politics, should he feel aggrieved when called up over doing so?

Should such contracts be permitted in a free speech society?

If standing in solidarity of principle, shouldn’t other presenters or employees who feel the same way also stand with him and not just his co-hosts?

Any thoughts on these questions or the topic in general?

@divegeester said
Posting this here rather than debates as it’s a loony house in there.

In the UK the top paid and most prominent sports presenter who is also a famous ex England footballer, has been suspended by the BBC for making tweets on a decisive party political topic.

It’s become a media circus with strongly held views both sides; some because of the topic, some because of th ...[text shortened]... tand with him and not just his co-hosts?

Any thoughts on these questions or the topic in general?

Would both parties, in the contract, not have consulted a lawyer? If the contract states that this or that applies and both parties signed then would not all the this and that’s have to be adhered to?🤔

If I was getting paid £1.4 million a year I would keep my gob shut.

@divegeester said
Posting this here rather than debates as it’s a loony house in there.

In the UK the top paid and most prominent sports presenter who is also a famous ex England footballer, has been suspended by the BBC for making tweets on a decisive party political topic.

It’s become a media circus with strongly held views both sides; some because of the topic, some because of th ...[text shortened]... tand with him and not just his co-hosts?

Any thoughts on these questions or the topic in general?

And because no one will see it in Sports.

Take it to the Sports Forum, Spanky.

@divegeester said
Posting this here rather than debates as it’s a loony house in there.

In the UK the top paid and most prominent sports presenter who is also a famous ex England footballer, has been suspended by the BBC for making tweets on a decisive party political topic.

It’s become a media circus with strongly held views both sides; some because of the topic, some because of th ...[text shortened]... tand with him and not just his co-hosts?

Any thoughts on these questions or the topic in general?

His contractual obligation aside, he broke Godwin's Law.

@suzianne said
And because no one will see it in Sports.

Take it to the Sports Forum, Spanky.

Post alerted. Now that is weird.

@fmf said
His contractual obligation aside, he broke Godwin's Law.

Surely upheld Godwins law.

@suzianne said
And because no one will see it in Sports.

Take it to the Sports Forum, Spanky.

Freedom of speech is not a "sports" topic.

@the-gravedigger said
Surely upheld Godwins law.

Perhaps you're right. But I thought Godwin's Law stipulated that if you resort to a Hitler comparison then you have lost the argument.

@fmf said
Perhaps you're right. But I thought Godwin's Law stipulated that if you resort to a Hitler comparison then you have lost the argument.

Ok, I thought it was just that all arguments will eventually degenerate into accusations of Nazism.

@the-gravedigger said
Ok, I thought it was just that all arguments will eventually degenerate into accusations of Nazism.

Maybe you are being Descriptive while I am being Prescriptive about the meaning of The Law.

@gambrel removed their quoted post

I don't think Suzianne was being "thin-skinned and sensitive". I think she was just trying to sabotage divegeester's wish to chat about this topic specifically with the people who gather on this forum.

@divegeester said
Posting this here rather than debates as it’s a loony house in there.

In the UK the top paid and most prominent sports presenter who is also a famous ex England footballer, has been suspended by the BBC for making tweets on a decisive party political topic.

It’s become a media circus with strongly held views both sides; some because of the topic, some because of th ...[text shortened]... tand with him and not just his co-hosts?

Any thoughts on these questions or the topic in general?

BBC news used to be trusted, it isn't anymore.

I think most are siding with the footballer. Everyone should have the right to criticize their own government, regardless of their job title.

Match of the day presenter 😂

@a-unique-nickname said
Everyone should have the right to criticize their own government, regardless of their job title.

Do you, therefore, think Lineker made a mistake by signing a contract with the BBC in which he [1] agreed to refrain from making political statements in public, and [2] agreed to a salary of £1.4 million a year?