Free Speech

NORDIC NEWSPAPERS PUBLISH OPEN LETTER TO UK PM CAMERON CHAMPIONING FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN RELATION TO GUARDIAN FORCED TO DESTROY SNOWDEN MATERIAL…….

 

The sole arbitrators on what is free speech (just like the Finnish Injustice dept.) Free speech for me, but not for thee.

Lenin_reading_Pravda

As much as I am thankful that the ‘Snowden Files’ info has been released to the greater US public, nonetheless, facts are facts, and as former US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton says: “The material obtained by The Guardian was classified information, the property of the US government and they had no right to have it in their possession.”

NOTE: This is the same weak-kneed paper (Helsingin Sanomat) which refused to republish the dreaded Mohamed cartoons. So in the case of stolen property however, the Helsingin Sanomat favors possession of it simply because they say so.

H/T: Simon Elo

BOLTON SAYS GOOD ON THE BRITS FOR DESTROYING SNOWDEN MATERIAL 25.8.2013

A Letter in English sent to Cameron

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HELSINGIN SANOMAT

Dear Prime Minister Cameron,

We know that you will agree that one of the hallmarks of free and open democracies is a vivid public debate addressing all fundamental aspects of society, including the balance and possible conflict between the legitimate security concerns of governments and the protection of privacy and the free press. We all understand both the imperative to uphold domestic security and the equally important imperative to protect our open public debate about the limits to and legal implications of these efforts.

The debate is not a sign of weakness of our democracies. It is the basis of our strength.

On this backdrop, events in Great Britain over the past week gives rise to deep concern. We may differ on where to draw the lines and strike the right balance, but we should not differ in our determination to protect an open debate about these essential questions. Also we should stand united to protect individuals engaging in such debates within the parameters of democracy and the rule of law.

The free press plays a crucial role in this regard, also in situations where information revealed by the press is most inconvenient to governments and the intelligence community. We are surprised by the recent acts by officials of your government against our colleagues at The Guardian and deeply concerned that a stout defender of democracy and free debate like The United Kingdom refers anti terror legislation in order to legalize what amounts to harassment of both the paper and individuals associated with it. Moreover, it is deeply disturbing that the police have now announced a criminal investigation. We hope this is not to be seen as a step against journalists doing journalism.

The implication of these acts may have ramifications far beyond the boarders of the UK, undermining the position of the free press throughout the world.

Mr. Prime Minister, we hope that you will soon act to rectify this and reinstall your government among the leading defenders of the free press and an open debate in accordance with the proud tradition of your country.

For Politiken, Denmark:

Bo Lidegaard

Executive Editor-in-Chief

For Dagens Nyheter, Sweden:

Peter Wolodarski

Executive Editor-in-Chief

For Aftenposten, Norway:

Hilde Haugsgjerd

Executive Editor-in-Chief

For Helsingin Sanomat, Finland

Riikka Venäläinen

Executive Editor-in-chief, acting

More here.

 

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