A decade-old clip of “Mr. Bean” star Rowan Atkinson is going viral.
Again.
Even X overlord Elon Musk shared it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 10, 2024
Why now?
The comic actor stood up for free speech during a 2012 lecture. Twelve years later, social media users hunger for someone, anyone, to defend speech in the wake of alarming headlines coming from across the pond.
MPs want social media companies to ban user accounts accused of inciting violence, and they have criticized these companies for not following such instructions previously. Labour MP Chris Curtis argued that social media bosses need to “step up and deal with vile messages stoking division and egging on violence.” Similarly, Conservative and Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly said it was “unacceptable for [social media companies] to take the profits but not comply with their responsibilities.” Some MPs even want to haul X owner Elon Musk before a Parliamentary committee to explain the platform’s “role in spreading misinformation.”
Arrests can follow. British police sure hope so.
The real reason for the speech clampdown? UK officials are struggling to contain residents’ rage at soaring crime rates and issues related to unchecked immigration. Rather than address the problems they’re scapegoating social media users.
Some misinformation helped fuel recent UK-based riots, but that’s hardly a unique phenomenon. Consider the “hands up, don’t shoot” lie that stoked weeks of “mostly peaceful” protests following the 2014 death of Michael Brown.
Even showing videos of the protests and unrest might seal your fate.
And Americans could be next, even though they live thousands of miles away and have only shared comments from their phones and keyboards.
“We will throw the full force of the law at people. And whether you’re in this country committing crimes on the streets or committing crimes from further afield online, we will come after you,” Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told Sky News.
Making matters worse?
The European Union is threatening Musk over his planned interview with former President Donald Trump. Don’t share too much “misinformation,” or Musk could be targeted next.
“With great audience comes greater responsibility,” wrote Thierry Breton, the EU’s commissioner for Internal Market, in a post on X. “As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk.”
Meanwhile, the UK Guardian just uncorked an op-ed calling for Musk’s arrest.
The author of this crappy Guardian piece calling for @elonmusk to be arrested for incitement wrote a whole novel (under pseudonym) wet-dreaming about the assassination of President Trump. https://t.co/Ws47mXqqvi
— Douglas Murray (@DouglasKMurray) August 12, 2024
So what are American celebrities doing about the problem? Oscar nominee Glenn Close attacked the issue immediately, to her credit.
Oh, wait. She’s complaining about Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance’s “cat lady” quip.
View this post on Instagram
We’ve yet to see a groundswell of outrage from either British or American celebrities. They may be next to none at this point.
Or ever.
Some U.S.-based groups still care deeply about free speech. Take FIRE, which shared its concern over the British clampdown on, where else, X.
“Think before you post” or so says @GOVUK
The UK attempts to stop riots by punishing “hate speech” and “online violence” whatever that means.
Thank goodness for the First Amendment
https://t.co/gD7D37gXAK
— FIRE (@TheFIREorg) August 12, 2024
The ACLU, a group that previously fought for free speech, ignored the matter. The group did share this vital message, though.
If elected as president, Vice President Kamala Harris promises to protect and expand reproductive freedom, including a plan to protect the right to abortion through federal legislation.
We’ll use every tool we have to ensure she keeps this promise.https://t.co/oHTunyASpx
— ACLU (@ACLU) August 6, 2024
Celebrities have been mostly silent on free speech-related issues for some time.
There are exceptions.
- Bill Maher
- John Cleese
- Ricky Gervais
- Judy Gold
- Rob Schneider
- Joe Rogan
Recall that Atkinson’s speech also went viral in 2020. Clearly, we need to hear what he’s saying, and the fact that it’s even more necessary in 2024 speaks to how urgent the fight to defend expression remains.
Editor’s Note: It’s a brutal time to be an independent journalist, but it’s never been more necessary given the sorry state of the corporate press. If you’re enjoying Hollywood in Toto, I hope you’ll consider leaving a coin (or two) in our Tip Jar.
The post Hollywood, British Celebs Silent on Extreme UK Censorship appeared first on Hollywood in Toto.
Commercials Cooperation Advertisements:
(1) IT Teacher IT Freelance
立刻註冊及報名電腦補習課程吧!
电子计算机 -教育 -IT 電腦班” ( IT電腦補習 ) 提供一個方便的电子计算机 教育平台, 為大家配對信息技术, 電腦 老師, IT freelance 和 programming expert. 讓大家方便地就能找到合適的電腦補習, 電腦班, 家教, 私人老師.
We are a education and information platform which you can find a IT private tutorial teacher or freelance.
Also we provide different information about information technology, Computer, programming, mobile, Android, apple, game, movie, anime, animation…
(2) ITSec
www.ITSeceu.uk
Secure Your Computers from Cyber Threats and mitigate risks with professional services to defend Hackers.
ITSec provide IT Security and Compliance Services, including IT Compliance Services, Risk Assessment, IT Audit, Security Assessment and Audit, ISO 27001 Consulting and Certification, GDPR Compliance Services, Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), Penetration test, Ethical Hacking, Vulnerabilities scan, IT Consulting, Data Privacy Consulting, Data Protection Services, Information Security Consulting, Cyber Security Consulting, Network Security Audit, Security Awareness Training.
Contact us right away.
Email (Prefer using email to contact us):
SalesExecutive@ITSec.vip