Tuesday
(0)The Cardiff University newspaper Gair Rhydd [link down as of late 7 Feb] reprinted one of the Jyllands-Posten 'Satanic Cartoons' and as a result, the edition was recalled and pulped by the university authorities. Now as the paper is no doubt the property of the university, I do not contest their right to do as they please with their property. However the statements from them make no sence whatsoever
"The opinions expressed in that publication are those of the editorial team independently of the students' union or university. The editorial team enjoy the normal freedoms and independence associated with the press in the UK, and are expected to exercise those freedoms with responsibility."
So they recalled the edition, destroyed all the copies, suspended the editor and are 'investigating' three of their journalists but the editorial team enjoy the normal freedoms and independence associated with the press in the UK. As we say on the internet, WTF?
Several newspapers in Europe and elsewhere (and I do not mean student newspapers) have reprinted the cartoons, so this is hardly an act of unprofessional behaviour seeing as several editors who actually do this for a living decided it was in the interests of their readers to publish the damn things.
Had they said "it is our paper and we will pulp anything that bucks the party line", well fine, but please, I will thank Cardiff University to not declaim as if they were on the moral high ground when all they are doing is covering their politically correct arses.
They mst be graduates of the US School of College Journals - you know, "All the News That Fits Our Views".
Posted by emdfl at February 8, 2006 12:16 AM
They couldn't be as offensive as the cartoons reported in dutch blog Zacht Ei.
Posted by laban at February 8, 2006 12:17 AM
Excuse me having an 'old git' moment but what does WTF mean?
Posted by Old Jack Tar at February 8, 2006 12:45 AM
Acronym for "What the f**k?"
This bit of double-talk would do the the framers of the Soviet Constitution proud. You know - good ol' Article 50 (right to free press) - but then there's also Article 59 (rights enumerated above only apply to actions that are done for the greater good of socialism).
Posted by Joshua at February 8, 2006 01:24 AM
Gawd makes me ashamed to be Welsh.
Considering the "High Quality" of last years Rag Mag, cartoons and all, I'd say the luckless editor is heading straight for Wapping, just for raising the tone.
Posted by RAB at February 8, 2006 02:14 AM
Has anybody else spotted the irony of the newspaper's name on this occasion? I suppose it would help if its translated name was known... 'Free Word'.
Posted by James at February 8, 2006 04:10 AM
In theory University student unions are in favour of freedom - however (as we all know) they will not tolerate "hate sppech", which means any opinion with which they disagree.
I agree that they should be allowed to do what they like with their own newspaper (private property), but that does depend on membership, and funding, of the union being voluntary.
Posted by Paul Marks at February 8, 2006 08:41 AM
From the university's website:
"It is the duty of every member or employee of Cardiff University to refrain from any conduct or course of action which prejudices the lawful exercise of freedom of speech."
LOL...
Posted by Chris at February 8, 2006 12:20 PM
I was just reading in NEW SCIENTIST, how astronomers and astrophysicists are debating the future of the Universe, since it was recently found that the cosmic expansion is accelerating.
Scientists are now trying to get funding to launch more space probes, to map the mysterious forces which may determine the ultimate future of spacetime itself...
...while other humans are busy killing each other over a bunch of cartoons.
The human race clearly needs to get over itself. I think I'll go into Zen Buddhism.
-A.R.Yngve
Posted by A.R.Yngve at February 8, 2006 01:24 PM
For some eerie reason I get the feeling 'free speech' has been conquered by Sharia law.
Oh, and don't forget to hide your pigs too!
Posted by syn at February 8, 2006 01:32 PM
since it was recently found that the cosmic expansion is accelerating.
Okay. I'm just want to know where to look for the restaurant at the end of the universe. Is it still at it's previous address?
Posted by Midwesterner at February 8, 2006 02:08 PM
And this is why I loved the show "Firefly" so much. Just give me a ratty ship and let me off the world and about my business, please.
Posted by Cam at February 8, 2006 02:58 PM
Chris quoted:
"It is the duty of every member or employee of Cardiff University to refrain from any conduct or course of action which prejudices the lawful exercise of freedom of speech."
That sounds carefully worded. Perhaps they want to give the impression of being bold and tolerant, but by asking that every member or employee refrain from anything which 'prejudices' the 'lawful exercise of freedom of speech', perhaps they take that to include anything which might endanger it as well?
Posted by James at February 8, 2006 04:00 PM
I won't bore with detail but the Education Act (2) 1986 is pretty clear. Looks as though they have acted illegally.
Worth an official complaint anyway...which I am making.
Posted by Chris at February 8, 2006 04:18 PM
Maybe the university authorities are deliberately giving the students a taste of the real world's hypocrisy so they aren't so naive when they have to join it.
Posted by simon at February 8, 2006 05:31 PM
Chris, I would be interested to hear what happens... drop me an e-mail (see sidebar for contact e-mail) if you get any feedback on this.
Posted by Perry de Havilland at February 8, 2006 06:42 PM
Speaking of official complaints, here is a story about a professor in Nova Scotia who is openly defying his school's ban on displaying the cartoons (claiming free speech rights and that it is in the nature of his job to "take risks") and who has also filed a complaint with the university on the grounds that the job outlined in his contract is incompatible with the kind of self-censorship the university is advocating.
Posted by Joshua at February 8, 2006 10:08 PM
