Saturday, September 22, 2007

Freedom of speech under threat (again)

I know that many of you have already done so, but this is just a quick plea to all Blogpower members to bring the Usmanov situation to the attention of your readers.

Basically, a number of blogs have been taken down and others threatened with legal action by an Uzbek millionaire after they repeated allegations made against him by Craig Murray, former British ambassador to Uzbekistan.

These allegations have been around for years, yet Usmanov has failed to take Murray to court over them. Instead he's put pressure on a small web-hosting company he knows lack the resources to fight him.

The British libel laws have become, in the words of our very own Gracchi: "a tool of the powerful to abuse, not a tool to protect innocent people against press intrusion"

11 comments:

James Higham said...

It leads my blog now, Matt.

Ian Appleby said...

Good call, Matt.

Gracchi said...

Exactly right. This is a cause that spans the blogosphere- and to me supporting the bloggers who have been banned including one former British ambassador is part of the Blogpower ethos.

Anonymous said...

Already there, with censored post to boot

jams o donnell said...

Already done and put up a couple of updates. I am so impressed at the way the whole political spectrum has come together over this issue. Usmanov thought he had gagged Murray and Ireland with his bully boy tactics but he has had a small taste of the "Streisand Effect" instead

Grendel said...

Had already done so. Although to my shame in a 'Goonercentric' way rather than playing the high ground with a freedom of speech argument.

Shades said...

I've linked & nicked Jame's graphic. I'd be repeating everyone else if I wittred on though.

James Higham said...

That graphic of mine - if anyone wants to use it - jsut take it. It was all I could come up with initially. If you come up with a better one, I'll nick it in turn.

James Higham said...

Actually, perhaps we should run something at BP HQ?

Matt M said...

The Wardman Wire has some good ones. As does Ministry of Truth.

James Higham said...

Good, good. Actually I made one up too:

http://nourishingobscurity.blogspot.com/2007/09/
jabbas-brother-alisha-hutt.html