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?

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?

@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?

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

Take it to the Sports Forum, Spanky.

@fmf said
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.

@the-gravedigger said
Surely upheld Godwins law.

@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.

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

@gambrel removed their quoted post

@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?

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