ARDOYNE RIOTS: Fears over freedom of expression
ANY move towards censoring Ardoyne riot footage would be viewed as "attempts to restrain freedom of expression", according to a university professor.
Philip Leith, a law lecturer at Queen's University, said there is already a form of censorship in that "unlawful activity" will be acted upon by the authorities – or certain content could become the subject of a libel action.
"Various agencies examine internet content in the course of their investigations, as well as individuals who may take civil actions in certain circumstances," he said.
"When it comes to the issue of censorship – if it was introduced – who is going to do the censoring?"
The removal of offending web content which stays within UK law is highly unlikely at a time the West is openly critical of countries engaged in censorship.
Speaking in January this year, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton criticised various nations, including China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, over censorship.
Ms Clinton said: "Countries that restrict free access to information, or violate the basic rights of internet users, risk walling themselves off from the progress of the next century."
Professor Leith added: "The internet is subject to the same regulation as other forms of publishing and it is almost always possible to get information on who is actually posting on the internet.
"The kind of riot footage you are referring to won't be to everyone's liking but if it's not illegal (to upload the footage], then there's not much anyone can do about it."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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