Opting Out of ISP Level Website Blocking…Church of England threatens to pull their investment from ISPs unless they ‘take action against porn’

Read more UK Nutter News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from dailymail.co.uk

The Church of England is threatening to use its financial power to inflict internet censorship on Britain. It is considering withdrawing the millions it has invested in ISPs unless they take action. The Church of England, which wields significant financial clout on the markets, is reviewing investments worth tens of millions. It refuses to invest in firms which fuel the very problems Christians are trying to tackle and has already leaned heavily on supermarkets to be more responsible in the way they sell alcohol. A Church spokesman said members of its ethical investment advisory group are considering new guidelines on pornography which take into account how easy it is to access with modern media. The Church of England’s stance on porn was welcomed by the Reverend Nutter Richard Moy, who works with young people in Lichfield, Staffordshire. He spouted without a grain of justification: It is not surprising that people go from soft porn to progressively more hard-core porn to the point where they are so depraved that they do things that they would never imagine doing. I think that if people start using mild porn to gratify a need rather than looking at why they need that gratification then they will eventually move on to more disturbing things. [On the other hand, if people don't gratify their needs, eg priests trying to be celibate, then they may eventually move on to even more disturbing things].

Kill the Bill…700 football fans protest against Scotland’s anti-sectarian football bill

Read more UK News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Based on article from heraldscotland.com

Hundreds of football fans turned out in Glasgow on Saturday to protest against proposals for a new anti-sectarianism bill. More than 700 people cheered as key speakers from Fans Against Criminalisation called for the bill, currently going through the Scottish Parliament, to be scrapped. Banners with slogans including kill the bill were waved at the mass gathering in the city’s George Square. Organisers of the event said they were delighted with the support, which they say reflected the strength of feeling on the issue. Jeanette Findlay, of Fans Against Criminalisation, said: We want this dangerous piece of legislation stopped in its tracks. If they want to tackle sectarianism, use the existing powers… It is not a proper piece of legislation and is unnecessary and unworkable.

Due Impartiality…Ofcom censures Sikh Channel for a panel discussion programme with a one sided view of Sikh repression in India

Read more Ofcom Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Oops… they forgot to get the token, ignorable sound bite from an obviously opinionated bigot representing the opposing view See article from stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Sikh Channel Youth Show Sikh Channel, 28 May 2011, 19:30 The Sikh Channel is in the religious section of the Sky Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), and the channel is aimed at the Sikh community in the UK. The Sikh Channel Youth Show was a weekly live programme broadcast in Punjabi. The licence for the Sikh Channel is held by TV Legal Limited. This programme consisted of a live discussion programme, consisting of a panel of guests and a live studio audience. The discussion touched on a range of subjects including: a Sikh demonstration that had taken place in Dudley on the day of the broadcast (28 May 2011); and various reported actions taken by the Indian Government towards the Sikh community in India, including Operation Blue Star 1. Two viewers alerted Ofcom to the programme, objecting to the manner in which the programme had referred to the Hindu community. On assessing the content, Ofcom noted the following statements made within the programme: In India there is one law for the majority and another law for the Sikh minority. The Sikhs should realize that they are slaves. In genocide, people are physically eliminated. But you can also eliminate them mentally by making them subservient and slavish. That is being done to the Sikhs in India. This is a message to the oppressors that you have done what you did and you can do more but we are ready to seek a homeland for ourselves. Ofcom considered the material raised issues warranting investigation under Rule 5.5 of the Code which states that: Due impartiality on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy must be preserved on the part of any person providing a service. This may be achieved within a programme or over a series of programmes taken as a whole Ofcom Decision: Breach of Rule 5.5 In assessing whether due impartiality has been applied in this case, the term due is important. Under the Code, it means adequate or appropriate to the subject and nature of the programme. Therefore, due impartiality does not mean an equal division of time has to be given to every view, or that every argument and every facet of every argument has to be represented. Due impartiality may be preserved in a number of ways and it is an editorial decision for the broadcaster as to how it ensures due impartiality is maintained. In this case, Ofcom considered that the programme included a number of viewpoints, but all of them were: either critical of the Indian state’s policy in relation to its treatment to the Sikh community in India; or could be interpreted as arguing the case for an independent homeland for the Sikh community in India. We considered that the programme did not contain any alternative views, which could be reasonably and adequately classed as supportive of, or which sought to explain: either the actions of the Indian State in relation to the Sikh community within India, and in particular, the Punjab; or the arguments against an independent homeland for the Sikh community within India. Ofcom concluded the programme was in breach of Rule 5.5 of the Code. The Sikh Channel got in further trouble for evasion of supplying of a full recording of the progamme. Ofcom recorded Breaches of Licence Condition 11(2)(b).

Throats and Thrusts…The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 cut for a 12A rated cinema release

Read more Latest UK Cuts at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Based on article from bbfc.co.uk

Breaking Dawn Part 1 is a 2011 US fantasy by Bill Condon with Kristen Stewart and Nikki Reed. See IMDb.Passed 12A after BBFC suggested cuts for category were implemented for UK 2011 cinema release The BBFC commented: Contains moderate violence and sex This film was originally shown to the BBFC in an unfinished version. The BBFC advised the company that the film was likely to receive a 15 classification but that the requested 12A certificate could be achieved by making changes to a sex scene between the Edward and Bella characters. In particular the BBFC suggested that more graphic sight of Edward thrusting while he lies on top of Bella, and while her legs are wrapped around his torso, be removed. When the finished version of the film was submitted these changes had been made, with the scene having been reduced in length and with less focus on full body shots. As a result, the film was classified 12A. The US release was also said to have similar category issues. The film was cut to reduce the initial R Rating down to a PG-13

Creeping Around the Internet…Human Centipede 2 Online

Read more BBFC News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Thanks to Nick

It seems that a video on demand version of The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) is all over the internet via file sharers – so much for the BBFC cuts and previous ban. From the Melon Farmers: From reports I have read though, this seems to be US Unrated version that is missing the barbwire rape of the ‘centipede’. It is much more complete than the cut BBFC version though. Reviewers don’t seem to have been impressed by the need for BBFC cuts. For instance the sandpaper masturbation is off screen, the BBFC claimed sexual motivation is near non existent, and most of the violence is of a level that has been passed before. This seems to leave just the BBFC concern that arses, mouths and shit in near proximity could be deemed obscene by the authorities.

Big Drips at Ofcom…Ofcom have a whinge at phallic ice carving in Being Erica

Read more Ofcom Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Being Erica E4, 11 August 2011, 07:35 Being Erica is a Canadian comedy drama series about a woman who begins seeing a therapist to deal with regrets in her life, only to discover the therapist has the ability to send her back in time to re-live and change events in her life. A complainant alerted Ofcom to a scene in this programme which featured a large sculpture made out of ice clearly shaped as a penis. The programme was broadcast at a time when children were likely to be viewing (during the early morning in the school holidays). In the scene in question, at the beginning of the programme, two characters discussed a large ice sculpture of an erect penis and scrotum, which had been placed on the counter in a bar, as decoration for a party. In the rest of the 50 minute programme, there were four further scenes in which the „penis ice sculpture appeared either as background to the dramatic action, or was referred to by characters in the programme. Ofcom considered Rule 1.3 of their Code, which states: Children must … be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them. Channel 4 said that during the scene in question and in several subsequent ones, the „ice penis sculpture is referred to in a comedic way and it is mostly background and incidental. It added that it considered the ice sculpture to be an an abstraction of a phallic image that is made of ice, rather than a facsimile of an „erect penis. Channel 4 said that the programme had been substantially edited to make it suitable for its scheduled transmission time. However, the broadcaster said that in retrospect some of the edits didn’t go far enough, particularly in view of the fact that it coincided with school holidays. Specifically, the broadcaster said that it considered in retrospect … that the inclusion of the ice sculpture itself as a narrative element… may not have been appropriate at 07:35 on E4. Ofcom Decision: Breach of Rule 1.3 Under the Code, there is no prohibition on depictions or descriptions of human genitalia appearing in programming before the watershed. However, in Ofcom?s view, in this case the cumulative effect of the repeated appearance of, and references to, a large erect penis ice sculpture, was to convey a sexualised theme, even though the primary purpose of the programme was not necessarily to convey a sexual theme, but rather to provide a comedic narrative. We noted Channel 4′s submission that it considered the ice sculpture to be an an abstraction of a phallic image that is made of ice, rather than a facsimile of an erect penis. We disagreed. In our view, the appearance and relative dimensions of the penis and scrotum depicted in the ice sculpture were highly likely to mean the ice sculpture would be perceived by members of the audience as being a depiction of an erect penis. Given the above, it is Ofcom’s view that this content was not suitable for children. Ofcom concluded that the material was in breach of Rule 1.3.

More Serbian…The US release of A Serbian Film is less cut than the UK version

Read more US Censorship News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

US 2011 Invincible RA Blu-ray at US Amazon US 2011 Invincible R1 DVD at US Amazon

A Serbian Film is a 2010 Serbia adult horror by Srdjan Spasojevic with Srdjan Todorovic and Sergej Trifunovic. See IMDb In the UK the film was released after 4:12s of BBFC cuts. The film has now just been released in the US on 25th October. Early reports indicate that, although MPAA Unrated, it has been cut by 1 to 2 minutes. Cuts are to the obvious newborn baby scene and to a hooded sex scene revealed as incest. The Swedish release though is reported to be uncut.

Opting Out of ISP Level Website Blocking…ISPs clarify that their approach to website blocking is to ensure that parents are well informed about free blocking software that may be used on home computers

Read more UK Government Censorship News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from independent.co.uk

The UK’s four major Internet Service Providers have published a Code of Practice, putting the decision on what to block in parents’ hands. Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk and Sky, said they believed parents are best-placed to decide whether to turn controls on, and to decide what types of content and applications to block, rather than having those decisions made for them by internet firms. The Code commits them to educating parents about content controls but does not require them to provide ISP level blocking. Instead the code commits its signatory ISPs to teaching parents about the availability of parental controls, providing tools free of charge to filter access to the internet at the point of purchase and reminding customers of the blocking tools at their disposal at least once a year. Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said he was pleased to see the industry taking action to help parents protect their children online. He said: The new code of conduct is a real, practical step to ensure households make a choice about parental controls when opening a new internet account. The Children’s Minister Tim Loughton added: Parents are quite rightly concerned about their children accessing harmful or inappropriate content online. But many parents don’t always know how to activate parental controls at home. That’s why it’s important they are asked to make a choice at the point of purchase over whether they want parental controls switched on or off.

Ofcom Don’t Believe…Ofcom to consider sanctions for religious channel claiming pastor can heal HIV and cancer

Read more Ofcom Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Believe TV 25 June 2011, 11:00 to 12:00 Believe TV is a service which broadcasts Christian programming and is located in the religious section of the Sky electronic programme guide. The channel broadcasts programmes which include testimony where members of the churches featured, including the VPA, proclaim how health problems, financial issues or other personal matters have been alleviated through healing from a pastor or other religious leader and their faith in God. A complainant alerted Ofcom to two alleged claims of serious illnesses being cured. These were broadcast on Believe TV on 25 June 2011. The claims were included in a programme which lasted around 20 minutes promoting the work of the church known as the Victorious Pentecostal Assembly (VPA). The claims appeared as onscreen text while images of the pastor of VPA, Alex Omokodu, were shown giving healing to followers at the church. The onscreen text claims referred to by the complainant were shown on the bottom third of the screen in white lettering on a black background: HIV IS HEALED and CANCER IS HEALED. Ofcom considered rules: Rule 2.1: Generally accepted standards must be applied to the contents of television and radio services so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material. Rule 4.6: Religious programmes must not improperly exploit any susceptibilities of the audience. Ofcom Decision: Breach of Rules 2.1 and 4.6 In assessing whether there was a breach of Rule 2.1, Ofcom therefore had to consider whether the claims broadcast could have encouraged viewers to believe that the serious illnesses featured, in particular cancer and HIV, could be cured through the work of the VPA (without orthodox medication). If this were the case, there was a potential for harm because some viewers with serious illnesses – who may therefore be more vulnerable – might have understood on the basis of what they saw on Believe TV that they could be cured by the work of the VPA, and as result either not sought medical advice or stopped following a course of recommended medical treatment. This clearly could be very harmful. The claims were made in a programme promoting the VPA, and its founder and pastor Alex Omokodu. Around two minutes into the programme it showed images of attendees at the church receiving healing from Pastor Omokudo as a voiceover stated: Victorious Pentecostal Assembly is a church regularly in communion with the power of the Holy Spirit and has been witness to scores of miraculous testimonies, breakthroughs, healing and what can only be described as divine intervention – a second nature at this mountain of God. This centre of excellence is committed to building up a people of purpose, power and praise, nursing the afflicted to deliverance, the downtrodden are restored to a royal priesthood, from many other afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivered them from them all. And He will do the same for you. Ofcom noted that as these images were broadcast various graphics were laid over a black segment filling the bottom third of the screen. Each separate graphic was on screen for around 10 seconds. Four of the graphics stated consecutively: THE LAME WALK AGAIN; CANCER IS HEALED; WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD BUT RESTORED AT V.P.A; and HIV IS HEALED. Taking into account : the juxtaposition of the images of healing and the claims contained in the graphics; and the voiceover stating that VPA had been witness to scores of miraculous testimonies and healing, Ofcom considered that viewers would have reasonably understood from the onscreen claims that the healing and testimony at the church could include the curing of HIV and cancer through attendance at the VPA alone. However before the start of the promotional style programme the following three onscreen graphics were broadcast while the text was read in voiceover: We advise you to always seek your medical practitioner advise [sic] before making any decision based on this programme. This statement provided some protection to viewers, by warning them to seek medical advice. But Ofcom noted that: these statements were broadcast before the promotional style programme began; they were separated from the claims of healing by about two and a half minutes; and no warning or information was broadcast immediately before, during or after the four claims for healing highlighted above. These factors limited the protection afforded to viewers by the statement Ofcom concluded that, taking all these factors into account, viewers were not provided with adequate protection from harm. Some members of the audience – especially those with serious illnesses – could have been left with the impression that the healing of HIV and cancer could, and would, take place if the viewer attended the church. This was a breach of Rule 2.1. Ofcom concluded that the broadcaster did not appropriately recognise and mitigate the risk to vulnerable viewers, and that the susceptibilities of members of the audience (some of whom might be experiencing a life threatening illness) were improperly exploited by the claims of healing of cancer and HIV broadcast on Believe TV. This was a breach of Rule 4.6. Considering Sanctions Ofcom has recently recorded breaches of Rules 2.1 and 4.6 against the Licensee in relation to the promotion of products as cures for serious illnesses and other medical claims made in various broadcasts between 21 December 2010 and 1 February 20111 . Ofcom regarded these contraventions of the Code as so serious and also repeated that we put the Licensee on notice that it was being considered for the imposition of a statutory sanction.

Dangerous Words…Parliamentary task force examines hate speech on the internet

Read more UK Parliament Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from computeractive.co.uk

A UK Government Task Force is meeting to discuss ways of combating the growing supposed problem of people publishing bigoted statements on websites. The Internet Hate Speech Task Force hearing follows a meeting attended by MPs and ISPs.  At that discussion, Israel’s Minister of Public Affairs and Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelstein claimed: The issue of hate on the internet needs greater attention given its scope and potential for harm.! The task force is hosted by John Mann MP and was set up by the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism (ICCA). It will look at the nature and scope of internet hate. This will include racism, religious hate speech, misogyny and homophobia. The types of hate speech that are appearing on the internet will be examined as will the various online media through which it appears. The hearing will also highlight the impact that internet hate can have, including its role in fostering hate crimes, and it will include testimonies from experts and witnesses. Further hearings will be scheduled by the Task Force and a report containing recommendations is due in late 2012