Free speech. Gabb on Sky. Shami Chakrabati. Holocaust. Free stuff!

OK no free stuff! :smile:

But from libertarian conservative John Ray at MajorityRights.com:

Freedom of speech includes the right to deny the holocaust

Although I have always been and always will be the most unwavering supporter of the State of Israel, I don’t believe that Israel is well-served by muffling free speech—even idiotic free speech. So I reproduce below a press release from the U.K. Libertarian Alliance

“At 9:30am on Monday the 20th February 2006, Dr Sean Gabb, Director of the Libertarian Alliance, will appear on Sky News to defend freedom of speech in general, and in particular the right of controversial historian David Irving to say anything he likes about the holocaust. Mr Irving is awaiting trial in Austria for the supposed crime of denying or minimising the holocaust. Commenting ahead of the broadcast, Dr Gabb says:

“Either freedom of speech means the right to say anything at all about politics, religion, science or history, among much else - or it means nothing at all. “There are those who say they believe in freedom of speech, but then insist that the promotion of “hatred” does not come within the meaning of free speech. The Libertarian Alliance utterly rejects this supposed distinction. What some call the promotion of hatred others call telling the truth. In any event, we believe in the right to promote hatred by any means that do not fall within the Common Law definition of assault.

“Whenever the State involves itself in arguments about the truth, disputes between opinions become disputes between opinions and power. And the State has neither special ability nor the right to decide what opinions may be true or false. “Whatever we may think about what he claims, whatever we may think about the motivation for his claims, the claims Mr Irving makes regarding the holocaust are a matter to be settled by historical debate - not by the criminal law....

“We also note with distaste that those journalists throughout Europe who are congratulating each other on how brave and liberal they have been over the anti-Moslem cartoons have not said a word for the freedom of Mr Irving to express himself. “The Libertarian Alliance believes in freedom of speech for all - WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.”

We discussed this in a small way when Irving was arrested, but we didn't really say much. Sean Gabb's interview comes on the back of a number of issues and controversies which bring the issue into a new relief. How do we all think of this central issue?

I'd also ask why Shami Chakrabati of "Liberty" is the supposed first choice spokesperson TV and newspaper editors turn to on civil liberty issues, when her organisation is so deeply biased toward liberal, PC, agit-prop, and has little or no record of supporting the rights of outspoken and victimised rightists, traditionalists, conservatives or nationalists. Where were Liberty when Nick Griffin might have expected their support?

Compare Liberty: http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/
to the Libertarian Alliance: http://www.libertarian.co.uk/

The agenda of "Liberty" is up for discussion I'd think.

I'd also ask that this not be moved to a place it doesn't belong, as happened recently to another flag-up for a TV show and related issues to be discussed.

I'll post a transcript or link to video/audio if one is available for people who don't catch it. Or feel free to get there before me.