Dangerous Scotland…Warnings that Scotland’s repressive Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act also applies to websites in the rest of the UK

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See article from guardian.co.uk

Coming for English webmasters Scotland’s Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act was brought in to crack down on sectarian songs, chants and abuse at football matches, but also applies to such messages posted on the net. It came into force on 1 March and there is concern in the media in Scotland, and further afield, about how they are to comply with the law The act also applies to people or organisations based outside Scotland. The law would also apply to Twitter and Facebook if they allowed offensive material to remain on their sites, as it would to any publishers based in England. The practicalities of getting them into a Scottish court might be more onerous, but nonetheless the threat is there and it would not be the first time that an English publisher has been up in a Scottish court because of ignorance of the law. Removing material as promptly as the new law appears to require is going to require intense moderation of sites, or else pre-moderation of message boards, building in delays which many users used to immediate posting would find unacceptably slow. …Read the full article The article continues that even the legal defence of innocent dissemination may not apply. This is where websites can claim they are not aware of content posted but do react to complaints. This defence is usually used against civil claims and may not be effective in criminal cases arising from the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.

Depraved…The CPS still stands by its ludicrous opinion that the sight of an actress licking urine tends to deprave and corrupt R18 viewers

Read more BBFC News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Thanks to Sergio

The BBFC published it’s decision to make cuts to the R18 adult DVD titled The Best of Lucy Law. It cut 2:35s with the comment: Cuts were required to remove the clear indication that one woman is licking urine from another, penetration with an object with potential to cause physical harm, and dialogue encouraging an interest in breath restriction. Cuts made in line with current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959, BBFC Guidelines and policy, and the Video Recordings Act 1984. This decision was published after the R v Peacock case where a jury unanimously cleared films depicting full on urolagnia of obscenity. Sergio enquired of the BBFC whether anything has changed regarding the R V Peacock case and received an email from the BBFC: The role of the BBFC is not to decide the law but to enforce it, and in this we will be guided by the law enforcement agencies. In relation to this case, the CPS have stated that the fact that a jury has acquitted someone does not mean that the guidance is incorrect. There are no current plans to revise our Guidelines. Yours sincerely, J L Green Chief Assistant (Policy)

The Olympic Sport of Gagging…Olympics organisers outline extensive internet gagging for volunteers

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Thanks to Nick See article from bbc.co.uk

Olympic organisers have set out internet censorship rules for the 70,000 Games Maker volunteers, including a ban on pictures or posts featuring backstage VIPs. The rules are set out in a document in the Games Makers’ area of Locog’s website. The document asks people not to mention details about their role, location or about athletes, celebrities and dignitaries. It says Games Makers should remember to avoid making any public statement on any subject relating to London 2012 without the prior approval of the Locog Communications team – including agreeing to attend any event to speak about any aspect of London 2012. It sets out how the public realm of social media could pose a risk to the Games in terms of reputation and safety and security. In a what to do and what not to do section, it warns volunteers: not to disclose their location not to post a picture or video of Locog backstage areas closed to the public not to disclose breaking news about an athlete not to tell their social network about a visiting VIP, eg an athlete, celebrity or dignitary. not to get involved in detailed discussion about the Games online but they can retweet or pass on official London 2012 postings.

Explicit Warning…Parental advisory of explicit lyrics extended to online retailers

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See article from bbc.co.uk

The music industry’s parental advisory scheme has been extended to explicit content in music and video downloads. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) scheme has applied to physical music and video since 1995, with logos attached to material deemed offensive or inappropriate for children. The logo now signposts unsuitable files on sites including iTunes and Amazon. The updated scheme states that UK digital music retailers and streaming services use the Parental Advisory logo or the word explicit alongside files that could be considered unsuitable. The BPI said that while some sites already flagged up explicit content, the scheme, introduced on Tuesday, would provide consistent labelling.

Don Sharp…Film and TV director dies aged 89

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See article from en.wikipedia.org

Donald Sharp (19 April 1922-18 December 2011) was born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. He became a notable film and TV director based in Britain. His most famous films were made for Hammer Studios in the sixties. His filmography of the period reads: The Kiss of the Vampire (1963) Wichcraft (1964) The Devil-Ship Pirates (1964) Curse of the Fly (1965) The Face of Fu Manchu (1965) Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966) Our Man in Marrakesh (1966) The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966) The Violent Enemy (1967) Rocket to the Moon (1967) A Taste of Excitement (1969) Dark Places (1973) Psychomania (1973) He then moved onto more mainstream films: Callan (1974) Hennessy (1975) The Four Feathers (1977) The Thirty Nine Steps (1978) Bear Island (1979) Later he worked in TV Hold the Dream (1986) (TV) Tears in the Rain (1988) (TV) Act of Will (1989) (TV)

Open Access…UK BlackBerry phone users are not subject to IWF website blocking nor their carrier’s policy for age verification before access to adult websites

Read more Phone News at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from huffingtonpost.co.uk by John Carr

Last week my attention was drawn to a notice which had been put up on 3′s web site. It reads as follows Note: If you’re using a BlackBerry, we can’t put a filter on your phone. This is because BlackBerry apply their own settings to access the internet Why had this caveat appeared out of the blue where previously there had been nothing? Had something changed? If so, what and when? At first everyone started clamming up. I took that as a sure sign. Then finally two networks confirmed that, right now, they believe none of their BlackBerry users are covered either by the adult content blocking policy or by the IWF list blocking policy. Another network said they believed some BlackBerry models were still covered but they acknowledged not all of their BlackBerry users are any more. Why have Blackberry decided to stop running services which keeps adult sites away from children or indeed anyone who has not asked for the adult bar to be lifted? And what exactly is the position with the IWF list? When did universal coverage under either or both headings cease to be a fact? Was it ever a fact? Was OFCOM, CEOP, the Government or anyone in authority informed of any changes to what was very widely understood to be the status quo? If not why not? This is a scandal which risks putting a big dent in the credibility of the whole notion of self-regulation of the internet in the UK, if not elsewhere as well. My understanding is that all of the UK’s mobile phone networks have been tearing their hair out trying to get RIM to sit down with them and resolve this but it hasn’t happened. Meanwhile what are the networks to do? Cut off all of their customers who use BlackBerry devices? I am sure some people will say that is exactly what they should have done but I think that is rather an extreme view and it ought not to be necessary when RIM have it within their gift to avoid it. Should the mobile networks have warned parents or the public or some of their customers? Blackberry has some explaining to do. …Read the full article

A Cacophony of Squealing Box Tickers…Council music censors whinge at the loss of their powers to suffocate the live music scene

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See article from telegraph.co.uk

In the dying days of the Thatcher government illegal raves attracted thousands of revellers to tranquil rural areas, where they enjoyed dancing the night away. In a desperate bit to retain censorship control of live music, councils are trying to invoke public fears about raves a shock tactic to defend their licensing powers that have been used to suffocate the British live music scene. Councils have cynically warned that plans to lift regulations on live entertainments will leave local residents powerless to silence raves and other music events, leading to a noise nuisance free-for-all. A London local authority has even warned the reforms will make it harder to silence the Notting Hill carnival. Under current rules anyone holding an event judged to be a live entertainment is obliged to apply and even pay hundreds of pounds for a license from their local authority. But John Penrose, the tourism minister, has realised that these rules are pointless bureaucracy, especially as the rules are even applied to school plays, folk duos and even Punch and Judy shows. Ministers are consulting on plans to free any event with an attendance of less than 5,000 people from needing a license. They hope this will make it easier for local communities to hold fetes and street parties. But local authorities have written to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport warning that the change will lead to a noise nuisance free-for-all. Councillor Chris White of the Local Government Box Tickers Association, which represent 350 councils, said: These proposals go too far. In its intention to cut red tape and box-ticking for village fetes, school concerts and amateur plays, this will inadvertently be giving carte blanche for noisy parties, concerts and all night raves attended by thousands.

Human Rights Heroes…Liberty Awards

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See press release from liberty-human-rights.org.uk

Human rights heroes from various walks of life were rewarded for their achievements at Liberty’s Human Rights Awards last night. Inspiring young people, artists and campaigners were honoured along with dedicated lawyers, journalists and politicians at the ceremony at the capital’s Southbank Centre. The event, which was hosted by comedian Marcus Brigstocke, was attended by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, Attorney General Dominic Grieve and Baroness Hale, as well as senior figures from the worlds of law, media and the arts. Sir Patrick Stewart, Dame Vivienne Westwood and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were amongst those handing out the awards. And Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke and Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti presented the Norwegian Ambassador Kim Traavik with a special tribute to the people of Norway in honour of the victims of 22 July 2011 and the dignity and humanity of the country’s response. Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, said: We are full of admiration and appreciation for the dedication and commitment to the protection of rights and freedoms shown by all our winners and nominees. It’s been an interesting year for human rights and the fight to defend the Human Rights Act, which has never been more vital, is far from over. But we’re acutely aware that we’re far from alone in that promotion of human dignity, equal treatment and fairness and Liberty is immensely proud to honour our candidates’ achievements. The Liberty Human Rights Awards 2011 winners and category nominees in full were: Human Rights Young Person of the Year: Cerie Bullivant — for his inspirational and courageous personal campaign against the unjust control order regime and proposed Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill. The other nominees were Zin Derfoufi, Abigail Stepnitz and Chris Whitehead. Human Rights Arts Award, in association with the Southbank centre: Penny Woolcock, screenwriter and film director of On the Streets — for her compassion and commitment to those living and surviving on the margins. The other nominees were the Iceandfire Theatre Company and David R. Dow for Killing Time: One Man’s Race to Stop an Execution. Human Rights Lawyer of the Year: Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholas Mercer — for his integrity and courage in the face of dissembling and denial of human rights abuses by British forces in Iraq. The other nominees were Fiona Murphy, of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, and Hugh Southey QC, of Tooks Chambers. Human Rights Close to Home Award: Janis Sharp — for her passionate and sustained campaign to protect her son, Gary McKinnon, from facing extradition to the USA. The other nominees were Janet Alder, Davies, Gore & Lomax LLP and Housing Justice. Independent Voice of the Year: Peter Oborne – for calling to account the most powerful in our country, especially in relation to the shameful history of complicity in torture during the War on Terror. The other nominees were Joe Plomin, Paul Kenyon & BBC Panorama and Tom Watson MP. Lifetime Achievement Award: John Hendy QC, from Old Square Chambers — in recognition of a career dedicated to defending and upholding the rights of workers and trade unionists in this country. Human Rights Long Walk Award: Private Eye – for keeping the powerful on their toes and the public informed and entertained — and Tony Bunyan & Statewatch — for dedication to openness, democracy and informed debate about European institutions, keeping us reliably informed and suitably engaged for the last 20 years.

Mine’s a Stiffy…UK drinks censor bans Stiffy’s Jaffa Cake vodka drink

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Based on article from portmangroup.org.uk

A complaint about Stiffy’s Jaffa Cake and Kola Kubez vodka liqueur products has been upheld by the Portman Group’s Independent Complaints Panel for inappropriately linking an alcohol product with sexual success. The complaint was made by a drinks manufacturer which considered that the brand name Stiffy’s was an overtly sexual reference which is banned under the Portman Group Code. In considering the complaint, the Panel noted that stiffy was a common slang term for an erection and considered that the brand name therefore had strong sexual connotations. The company, Stiffy’s Shots Ltd maintained that the brand name had been chosen because Stiffy was the nickname of a person involved in the development of the drink; it had not been chosen for its sexual connotations. The Panel acknowledged that while the company may not have deliberately set out to link the product with sexuality, the brand name alluded to sexual success and accordingly found the product in breach of the responsibility Code. Henry Ashworth, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, which provides the secretariat for the Independent Complaints Panel, said: It is totally inappropriate for alcohol marketing to allude to sexual success and following this ruling and our enforcement action, Stiffy’s products will be removed from sale in their current form. We would urge anyone who comes across examples of irresponsible alcohol marketing to complain immediately to the Portman Group. Alcohol companies must be extremely vigilant about marketing their products responsibly and we encourage companies and their agencies to contact our fast, free and confidential advisory service which last year alone handled over 500 requests for advice. The company, in consultation with the Portman Group’s Advisory Service, has now changed the brand name to Stivy’s.

Olympic Word Games…London Olympics News Service claims that competitor sound bites will be uncensored

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See article from telegraph.co.uk

Tim Barnett, the head of the Olympic and Paralympic News Service, which will provide quick flash quotes to the world’s media during the Games, said he strongly refuted any suggestion that there may be censorship of athletes’ comments. We will report fairly and accurately what happens in the mixed zone [where athletes give quick remarks after events], Barnett told more than 500 of the world’s media at the World Press Briefing in London. Barnett’s assurances come after the Olympic News Service failed to report any athlete opinion or comment about the London riots during the beach volleyball test event. At the time OPNS staff said they were instructed to only report comments made about sport.