How to deny extremists publicity

If Geert Wilders had been allowed to enter the UK and show this film of his, hardly anyone would have battered an eyelid. Instead by denying him entry, the government has given him huge levels of publicity, turned him into a martyr for extremists and sent many people to watch his filth.

Here in the UK we seem to take a similar attitude to the British National Party and others. Time and time again we just give them publicity, reinforce their claim to be "the party with the answers the political establishment doesn't want You to hear" and make them ever more attractive to the politically alienated. As I blogged before in Time to end No Platform?, I think these methods are no longer working and can, if anything, be counter productive.

Instead let's provide constructive alternatives, stop providing favourable publicity and allow the extremism to wither and die. Freedom of speech is the freedom to say what you like. It does not mean anyone has to listen to you.

Welease this film!

Many years ago some people heard about a film and shouted "down with this sort of thing". It wasn't about the Messiah it was just a very naughty film. And many councils banned it. Even those that had no cinemas.

It seems some of the bans are still in the place today. Life of Brian actress Sue Jones-Davies has now become the Mayor of Aberystwyth and wants to lift the ban. (BBC News: Mayor wants Python film ban ended) However as nobody in the Ceredigion council licensing department is aware of the ban it could prove harder to lift than expected.

In the meantime here's the scene all political bloggers remember:

And the British extreme left still acts like this to this day!

Ellee Seymour - live and dangerous

For those of you who haven't yet seen it, there is a site on the internet showing whether or not you own website is banned in China. (Great Firewall of China)

Ellee Seymour reports that she is banned. (Ellee Seymour: Why is my blog banned in China?) Clearly her output is unacceptable to the authorities there.

This blog isn't blocked (yet), so I'd like to say that the Chinese government is a despicable regime that is too cowardly to let its citizens find things out for themselves. Very soon the day will come when it is finally overthrown.