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James's avatar

Given how far we have fallen down the rabbit hole with regard to censoring speech/ expression, culminating with the coming into force of the Online Safety Act, what are decent law abiding citizens to do to fight against where we find ourselves?

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PAUL MARSHALL's avatar

Hi Toby, id say we are probably at the full 1984 meets Soylent Green stage of surveilance and assisted dying, to younger generations its just "normal" - will there be a case for the older generation to just give up and cry or what will be the one event that makes everyone walk out the front door at the same time with a broom handle like the medieval peasants revolt?

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Nathan Woodard's avatar

Glad you are back...I'm a longtime fan of yours. Regarding the case of Hamit Coskun, you have pointed out that the UK legal system now protects the right to blaspheme against Christianity (following the repeal of blasphemy laws in 2008), yet prosecutes those who blaspheme against Islam.

I suspect few outside the UK have heard a clear articulation of the legal reasoning behind this apparent double standard. Could you explain the precise origin and legal basis for this policy?

And having clarified this, is it unreasonable or reactionary to interpret the Coskun conviction as a landmark moment signifying the first successful implementation of Islamic law within a Western legal system?

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Arved von Brasch's avatar

Thoughts on why multiple countries all over the world are bringing in similar laws at the same time?

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Rebecca's avatar

This bill should never be needed as this should be a parent's job. Do we need to be more critical of parents as many now grew up with this technology and should have an idea of how it works?

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Graham Ward's avatar

How culpable are the Conservatives in drafting the original Bill, and did they ask you for your views as the head of the Free Speech Union?

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curious2plus2's avatar

Which political party do you see taking the issue of free speech seriously? Which leader or manifesto do you trust the most to try and turn this ship around?

Thank you for the work of the FSU, I am a paid up member and display my pin badge with pride on my work bag 👍

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JohnBry's avatar

Is there a chance US-based internet companies, such as X and youtube, will withdraw from the UK due to excessive internet regulations and the possibility of substantial fines?

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Frédérique's avatar

Does the Free Speech Union need to join forces with Rupert Lowe & his movement to help him to ensure the right issues are being raised in parliament & to garner more members so that a solid parallel justice system will be available to ensure that justice for all not the few is available

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Gareth Murray's avatar

Hello Toby, your endeavours with the FSU are doing great work. Congratulations. My question is:

You knew both David Cameron and Boris Johnson well from your student years, which one of them do you think let the country down the most?

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Geary Johansen's avatar

Hi Toby, why don't more people attack the technology itself as harmful to children- the catastrophic developmental efforts of smartphones on children and teenagers is now proven (by people like Jonathan Haidt), but for adults the social media/new media landscape is a vital tool in fighting back at the often false mass consensus which governments in the recent past were able to effect through manufactured consent?

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TheBlues's avatar

There is a lot of worried anticipation of civil unrest this summer and for the future. Will the FSU consider group coverage, and what do 'you' expect to change in your caseload?

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