Mediawatch Bullshit…Vivienne Pattison urges a watershed for radio

Read more Mediawatch-UK Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Perhaps notable that this is the first sound bite from Pattison for some time. See article from express.co.uk

The nutters of Mediawatch-UK have urged the BBC to introduced a TV style watershed for radio. This was in response to Radio 4′s Today programme repeatedly used the words bullshit and bastards during a recorded item. The words were spoken to illustrate a report about the abuse aimed at academics researching chronic fatigue syndrome or ME. The item, introduced with no warning by regular presenter Sarah Montague, said researchers who suggested ME might be a mental illness had been subjected to a hate campaign. Actors used to read the e-mails from sufferers quoted: Those of you responsible for preventing us sick ME sufferers getting the help we need, wasting £5million on flawed bullshit, you will all pay.  Another said: How are you evil bastards going to explain away another piece of evidence? Sister station Five Live aired the same report but warned listeners beforehand. As the BBC launched an investigation following complaints, Radio 4 insisted the words were essential and Today listeners could cope without a warning. The written version on BBC online did not mention the swearwords and neither did TV bulletins later in the day. Mediawatch-UK said that was because television is banned from using swearwords before 9pm, while radio is freer to broadcast abuse at any time. Director Vivienne Pattison said that made no sense and the loophole should be closed. She said she frequently had to leap across the room to switch off her radio to prevent her children hearing words of adult content aired during the day. Pattison said: The BBC is somewhat of a repeat offender on this issue. There isn’t a watershed on radio and it’s time we had one. Ofcom’s research finds too much swearing is being broadcast. People don’t like it. Two Tory MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport select committee have backed the call for a radio watershed Therese Coffey was not even aware there was no watershed. She said: It strikes me as being inconsistent. There’s no expectation of hearing that kind of language at that time and I’m sure people would have been shocked. Her colleague Philip Davies added: The lack of a watershed is an anomaly that needs to be addressed. A spokesman for the Today programme said: E-mails including abusive language were included in the report to demonstrate the level of intimidation involved in the campaign. We felt this was editorially justified.

Sensitive Tweets…Twitter is preparing to censor links to ‘sensitive’ images and pages

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See article from mashable.com See also Twitter’s media policy document from support.twitter.com

Twitter has added a way to flag links within tweets as possibly sensitive. The company has announced that there is a new field used whenever a tweet contains a link, giving Twitter users the option to be warned before they click links that might office or age friendly. The new feature is not functional yet, but Twitter was informing developers that it was just added and is now in the testing phase. According to Twitter representative Taylor Singletary: In the future, we’ll have a family of additional API methods & fields for handling end-user ‘media settings’ [linked pages and images etc] and possibly sensitive content. To us, this seems like a feature that’s long overdue, giving users the ability to control the kind of content they or their children are exposed to, letting them use Twitter without fear of being unpleasantly surprised when they click on an inappropriate link. According to Twitter’s media policy document, the company will remove media that might be considered sensitive such as nudity, violence, or medical procedures.

Complaints Against the PCC Upheld…Baroness Buscombe to quit Press Complaints Commission over mishandling of phone hacking scandal

Read more PCC Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from thescotsman.scotsman.com

The phone-hacking scandal claimed another high-profile name when Baroness Buscombe announced she is to quit as chairman of the Press Complaints Commission (PCC). The Conservative peer will step down from her role following widespread criticism of the watchdog for mishandling the scandal. Lady Buscombe will relinquish her post once a replacement is found. Lady Buscombe’s tenure has been marred by criticism that she has failed to deal convincingly with the phone-hacking allegations at the News of the World, an impression that was backed up by a recent unconvincing performance when she was interviewed by Andrew Neil on the BBC’s Daily Politics Show.

The Long and the Short of it…Theatrical Version of Maniac Cop passed 18 uncut

Read more Latest UK Cuts at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See more details at Melon Farmers Video Hits: Maniac Cop See trailer from youtube.com

Maniac Cop is a 1988 US action film by William Lustig. See IMDb The Theatrical Version was passed 18 uncut for: UK 2011 Arrow R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon for release on 3rd October 2011 UK 2011 Arrow R0 DVD at UK Amazon for release on 3rd October 2011 Release details from our special feed with Cult Labs Police brutality never felt so good Notorious video nasty creator William Lustig and B-Movie legend Larry Cohen return to the dirty streets for a unique high speed collision of the slasher movie and police thriller in Maniac Cop, a blood splattered tale of brutal cop vengeance from beyond the grave. When reports come in of a man in a police uniform committing gore drenched bloody murder on the city streets, officer Jack Forrest (Bruce Campbell) stands accused. Now, with few friends, powerful enemies and a psychopathic slayer still at large, it’s up to Jack to prove he’s not guilty and bring down the killer. Now, Arrow Video brings the Maniac Cop back from the 80s video vault to stalk the night time streets once more, looking for fresh victims… THIS EDITION CONTAINS: Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork Double-sided fold-out artwork poster Collector’s booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by author Troy Howarth and The Original Maniac: An interview with William Lustig, adapted from Calum Waddell’s book Taboo Breakers SPECIAL FEATURES: Brand new High Definition transfer of film film Exclusive UK introduction to the film from star Tom Atkins Doomed Detective: Tom Atkins on Maniac Cop Lady of the Night: Laurene Landon remembers Maniac Cop Scripting a new Slasher Super-Villain: Larry Cohen on Matt Cordell Trailer Original Art by Rick Melton In original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio Original Stereo 2.0 Audio Optional English subtitles for the hearing impaired Feature and extras 1080/24p Region ABC Blu-ray playable worldwide Previously, the Extended Version/Japanese TV Version was passed 18 uncut with previous cuts waived for: UK 2004 Optimum R2 DVD at UK Amazon See pictorial version details from movie-censorship.com: The Japanese TV Version runs 5:36s longer and includes additional dialogue and an alternative ending Before that, the Theatrical Version was passed 18 after 5s of BBFC cuts for: UK 2000 Synergy R2 DVD UK 1991 Channel 5 VHS UK 1989 Lazer VHS UK 1988 cinema release The BBFC cuts were: The cut is to the shower scene and involves Robert Z’Dar getting stabbed in the back with a knife. It’s a shot of the knife going in and out again Also cuts to the torture of Z’Dar as his face gets carved with a knife. Summary Review: Worth a watch This film has a good B-movie cast with Tom Atkins, Richard Roundtree and Bruce Campbell. Some good tension is built up in the various chases around the city and overall this is definitely worth a watch.

Gangs of Censors…BBFC cuts waived to South Central

Read more Latest UK Cuts at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from bbfc.co.uk

South Central is a 1992 US crime drama by Stephen Milburn Anderson. See IMDb Passed 15 uncut with previous cuts waived for: UK 2011 Second Sight R2 DVD at UK Amazon for release on 3rd October 2011 Previously passed 15 after 6s of BBFC cuts for: UK 1993 Warner VHS Summary Review: Notable An influential movie set amongst black LA gangs. It shows the human side of the culture and poignantly premiered just after the LA uprising of September 1992. Generally reviewed as highly entertaining.

US Laughs While UK Censors…The Daily Show On More4 censored for using parliamentary TV coverage in a satire

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Thanks to Nick Based on article from newstatesman.com

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart has a Global Edition that condenses 4 US episodes into one programme. But this week, even the Global Edition didn’t make it on to British TV screens nor catch up TV. Blogger Chris Spyrou noticed it and brought it to the attention of the TV writer Graham Linehan, who asked Channel 4 about it. A tweet from Channel 4 Insider, the broadcaster’s official presence on Twitter, called it compliance problems. The full reason, tweeted a short while later, was this: We are prevented by parliamentary rules from broadcasting parliamentary proceedings in a comedic or satrical context. The user @fiatpanda later uncovered this response to a Freedom of Information request from Channel 4, which stated: Guidelines specify that no extracts from parliamentary proceedings may be used in comedy shows or other light entertainment, such as political satire. But broadcasters are allowed to include parliamentary items in magazine programmes containing musical or humourous features, provided the reports are kept separate. The scene in question was David Cameron facing tough parliamentary questions about phone hacking being compared to anaemic questioning that occurs in the US version of parliament.

Internet Censorship in the UK…High Court orders BT to block Newzbin 2

Read more UK News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from bbc.co.uk See also ‘Pirate’ link site stands defiant from bbc.co.uk

A High Court judge has ruled that BT must block access to a website which provides links to pirated movies. Newzbin 2 is a members-only site which aggregates a large amount of copied material found on Usenet discussion forums. The landmark case is the first time that a UK ISP has been ordered to block access to such a site. It paves the way for other sites to be blocked. In his ruling, Justice Arnold stated: In my judgment it follows that BT has actual knowledge of other persons using its service to infringe copyright: it knows that the users and operators of Newbin2 infringe copyright on a large scale, and in particular infringe the copyrights of the Studios in large numbers of their films and television programmes. The Motion Picture Association, which represents the likes of Warner, Disney and Fox, launched the legal action to close down Newzbin 2. MPA signalled its intention to pursue other ISPs. The judge ruled that BT must use its blocking technology CleanFeed – which is currently used to prevent access to websites featuring child sexual abuse – to block Newzbin. The Internet Service Providers’ Association has been a fierce critic of web blocking. It said that using blocking technology, designed to protect the public from images of child abuse, was inappropriate. Currently CleanFeed is dealing with a small, rural road in Scotland, ISPA council member James Blessing told BBC Radio 4′s PM programme. Trying to put Newzbin and other sites into the same blocking technology would be a bit like shutting down the M1. It is not designed to do that.

Chris Tookey Recommends…The Violent Kind

Read more UK Nutter News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Thanks to MichaelG See review from dailymail.co.uk UK 2011 Momentum R2 DVD at UK Amazon

Few weeks pass without some new brutalised shambles being offered to audiences. This week’s effort is a low-budget biker movie, which starts out in a city with its thuggish, dope-smuggling heroes joyfully beating up some rivals for reasons that are never explained. … It doesn’t even have the sick, defiantly primitive sense of humour that made last week’s nastiest offering, Hobo With a Shotgun, just about bearable for the first five minutes. …Read the full review

Blown Out of All Proportion…ASA spout bollox about minor innuendo causing the ‘widespread’ offence of 1 complaint

Read more ASA Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from asa.org.uk

A banner ad for Pump n Ride inner tubes, on a website for bicycle accessories on 15 March 2011, featured an image of a woman wearing a black leather cap and studded leather bra, holding a length of rubber tubing. Text stated She might go down on you …, followed by an arrow pointing at the woman. Further text stated These won’t!, followed by an arrow pointing at a box of Pump n Ride inner tubes. A complainant challenged whether the ad was offensive, because she believed it was sexist and objectified women. ASA Assessment: Complaint Upheld The ASA considered that the image of the woman in the ad, and the text She might go down on you … was clearly intended as a sexual innuendo, implying that the woman may be willing to engage in oral sex. We considered that the ad objectified women and we noted FatSpanner’s comment that a large proportion of its business came from women. Although in itself not normally an issue, we also noted that the image bore no relation to the product being advertised. We considered the unrelated sexual imagery had the potential to exacerbate any offence caused. We therefore concluded that the ad, which objectified women through sexual imagery and innuendo in a manner unrelated to the product advertised, was likely to cause serious or widespread offence when published on a website which attracted a large proportion of female consumers. The ad breached CAP Code rule 4.1 (Harm and offence).

But Try Telling that to the Governments of the World…United Nations committee confirms that freedom of speech can only be limited in the most exceptional circumstances

Read more International Censorship News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from ipsnews.net

The United Nations Human Rights Committee confirmed the central role of freedom of expression in human rights, making it clear that it can only be limited in the most exceptional circumstances, and calling for the first time for unrestricted public access to official information. After two years of debate, the Committee has produced a General Comment that outlines the admissible restrictions on freedom of expression. Although the General Comment does not discuss specific cases, the interpretations adopted Jul. 21 would apply to incidents involving freedom of expression, such as the violent protests triggered by the 2005 publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad by a newspaper in Denmark, or more recently, the wiretapping scandal involving Australian media magnate Rupert Murdoch Committee member Michael O’Flaherty said the strength of the General Comment is evidenced for example in the language that was adopted by the Committee around issues such as blasphemy and insult to religion, where the Committee made clear that limits on freedom of expression for these reasons can only be in the very exceptional situations laid out elsewhere in the ICCPR that deal with incitement to hatred and discrimination on religious or racial grounds and so forth. Fabian Salvioli, another member of the Committee, said it did not linger on specific questions, like the Mohammad cartoons. That was not necessary, he said, because the paragraph on blasphemy is very clear. Statements and other forms of expression, even offensive ones, should not be penalised, unless they incite hatred, which is something different. Article 19.3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) establishes that freedom of expression may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order or of public health or morals. Article 20 of the ICCPR says: Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law. Campaign group Article 19 Senior Legal Officer Sejal Parmar noted that Paragraph 50 of the General Comment states that prohibitions of displays (of) a lack of respect for a religion or other belief system, including blasphemy laws, are incompatible with the ICCPR except in specific circumstances envisaged in Article 20 of the Covenant. The senior legal officer added that it would be impermissible for such laws to discriminate against one or certain religions or belief systems or their adherents over another, or religious believers over non-believers or for such laws to prevent or punish criticism of religious leaders or commentary on religious doctrine and tenets of faith.