In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban • Hacker News Board

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#11

Post by ig1 » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:26 AM UTC

mattdeboard wrote: post #4

andylei wrote: post #3

i don't agree with Cameron, but CNN's headline is a bit sensationalist. > "to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality." he's not saying facebook and twitter should be banned, just that it should be monitored (and potentially block users). again, i disagree with Cameron, but its hardly the same as a…

Monitoring is far worse than banning.

Twitter's a public medium, I don't really see how anyone could object to a government monitoring it, given any individual could do the same thing.

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#12

Post by skky » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:27 AM UTC

dendory wrote: post #6

To us, Libya protesters are freedom fighters, to the Libian government they are criminals. No surprise that when the protests happen here, governments swap position right away.

definition for protester: "dissenter: a person who dissents from some established policy."

definition for rioter: "troublemaker who participates in a violent disturbance of the peace; someone who rises up against the constituted authority."

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#13

Post by mrmaddog » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:28 AM UTC

I am firmly against blocking any communication tool on the internet, though I am all for prosecuting those that incite violence and illegal activities should they be dumb enough to use a website that can be linked back to them.

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#14

Post by abstractbill » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:29 AM UTC

ig1 wrote: post #11

mattdeboard wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Monitoring is far worse than banning.

Twitter's a public medium, I don't really see how anyone could object to a government monitoring it, given any individual could do the same thing.

Twitter has both public and private messages. If anyone is taking about monitoring communications on it, I would assume they're talking about the private ones.

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#15

Post by rflrob » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:36 AM UTC

estel wrote: post #7

dendory wrote: post #6

To us, Libya protesters are freedom fighters, to the Libian government they are criminals. No surprise that when the protests happen here, governments swap position right away.

This is a slightly tired and broadly awful analogy. The rioters this week haven't shared the same motivations, determination or moral conviction of "rebel" (but now recognised) Libyan Government. If I were Libyan, this comparison would be frankly insulting.

Good points all around, but any government that wants to maintain it's rule will portray freedom fighters as unruly rioters. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they aren't, but giving the government the ability to restrict communication if it says they are is a dangerous precedent.

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#16

Post by rflrob » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:38 AM UTC

This is completely ignoring the potentially positive effects of social media during the riots. @metpoliceuk was helpful in spreading news and tamping down false rumors.

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#17

Post by fexl » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:44 AM UTC

rflrob wrote: post #16

This is completely ignoring the potentially positive effects of social media during the riots. @metpoliceuk was helpful in spreading news and tamping down false rumors.

Or this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14475741

(twitter tag #riotcleanup)

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#18

Post by slug » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:47 AM UTC

dendory wrote: post #6

To us, Libya protesters are freedom fighters, to the Libian government they are criminals. No surprise that when the protests happen here, governments swap position right away.

I wouldn't consider these guys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gex_ya4-Oo freedom fighters...

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#19

Post by chailatte » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:50 AM UTC

There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, think, and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillence coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well, certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.

Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban

#20

Post by Joakal » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 12:52 AM UTC

It's sad how the British government is responding compared to Norway.

Norway: First) Provides support to anyone who needs it. Problem) Mentally unstable bomber/shooter. Solution) We'll continue supporting. Security will get reviewed but not that necessary to implement new laws.

Britain: First) Cut back support for bringing up people. Problem) Surprised people riot. Solution) Slam down authoritative fist. So far; 1) Increase police from 20,000 to 26,000. 2) Consider restricting internet further (This). They believe the cure is apparently better than the vaccine, better parenting and government assistance.