Gagging - again
Further to my previous post, about being gagged by the SNP on Isles FM, I thought the matter was closed.
Not so. Yesterday the format was changed to three pundits to give more varied "comment"
on the events of the week. Last night the Chair of the Western Isles SNP phoned the host of the show to complain about the third guest, my old friend and colleague former Councillor Angus Graham, who was "unacceptable" to the local SNP. As it turned out Angus Graham was not invited onto the show, but nevertheless the SNP obviously have a list of which commentators are "fair" and which are "unfair" i.e. those who will parrot the SNP line and those who will not.
Today, they have launched a concerted campaign to have me removed from tonight's programme on the grounds that I might say something they don't like.
I gave the benefit of the doubt last time, but this is definitely too far and too much. Just who is approving this censorship, and why is free speech under threat in the Western Isles?
Am I on the programme tonight? Wait and see on 103.0FM!
Not so. Yesterday the format was changed to three pundits to give more varied "comment"
on the events of the week. Last night the Chair of the Western Isles SNP phoned the host of the show to complain about the third guest, my old friend and colleague former Councillor Angus Graham, who was "unacceptable" to the local SNP. As it turned out Angus Graham was not invited onto the show, but nevertheless the SNP obviously have a list of which commentators are "fair" and which are "unfair" i.e. those who will parrot the SNP line and those who will not.Today, they have launched a concerted campaign to have me removed from tonight's programme on the grounds that I might say something they don't like.
I gave the benefit of the doubt last time, but this is definitely too far and too much. Just who is approving this censorship, and why is free speech under threat in the Western Isles?
Am I on the programme tonight? Wait and see on 103.0FM!
20 comments:
Sorry Angus but Isles FM are as much to blame for letting the SNP run the show and have this much influence over who can and can't be interviewed. Why don't they just say no or is this another example of local media that is tied to the SNP as the Gazette are? Is this a sign of things to come should the SNP get elected? Quite worrying.
I can see that you are getting a lot of hits but the comments are very quiet on here Angus. Maybe the SNP have sent out another edict forbidding their members / supporters to comment on your blog in case they encourage you :)
I think it quite probable that the reason there are few comments on this thread is that most people simply couldn't care less about Angus's policy-personality-or-whatever clash with them. It's old news to everyone except Angus and one or two others including, apparently, yourself.
"Isles FM are as much to blame for letting the SNP run the show..."
Hahaha! Come on! Do you think people can't see through that little double-bluff?
"Is this a sign of things to come should the SNP get elected? Quite worrying."
Is it going to rain a week next Tuesday? Haven't I seen that phrase 'quite worrying' before somewhere? :-)
Maybe, just maybe, like me, people are more concerned with listening to candidates discussing policies on the future of the islands than with petty revenge and bickering.
p.s. You should look up 'Godwin's Law' on Wikipedia, 'jimmy'- referring via your username link to Adolf Hitler in criticism of something such as a political party with whom you don't agree is crude and disrespectful, whatever your political persuasion.
Mach0, trust you to have some very petty ill informed comments about a program you can't even hear.
What happened to you're promise not to reply to anyone but Angus?
Are you alos Archie on SyChat? The bullshit meter says "yes".
"Mach0, trust you to have some very petty ill informed comments..."
Not petty at all. The truth is never petty.
"... about a program you can't even hear."
Eh?
"What happened to you're (sic) promise not to reply to anyone but Angus?"
My actual words: 'From now on, I shall confine my answers/questions/comments to Angus and people who actually have something to say rather than multi-ranters.'
The comments by 'jimmy' certainly have something to say, for dubious political (and possibly also personal) ends, some of which can be guessed at, some of which are known (known knowns). Hence the reply. Even when I disagree strongly with posters, I am quite happy to debate with people who actually say something meaningful rather than waste time on trolls and those who spit political bullets in short rants.
"Are you alos (sic) Archie on SyChat? The bullshit meter says "yes"."
And the truth says "No". But I know exactly why you ask :-) I suggest you get a new 'bullshit meter' and test it on your own comments. Watch you don't break the needle though.
Crikey, this is quite a big conspiracy, isn't it? Those duffils at the SNP are in on it, the Gazette including family associates are in on it, Isles FM are in on it...who else I wonder? Radio 1? George Bush? The birds in the trees?
Macho = troll
"Of course there's dissension," (Sean) Connery agrees, "there has to be dissension, God I hope there is because out of that comes debate."
The Herald, 7 March 2003
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At least James Bond is on your side, Angus. Unless Salmon has told him otherwise.
Funny you should mention Sean, but in either 1993 or 1997 when walking thorough Stornoway and taking Alex Salmond around, Alex had to give my mobile number to HQ. The reason being that if Sean phoned he would be directed to my phone. How I wished for that call -- which never came.
Did you actually make it to radio then, Angus? I forgot to check.
Having left for the mainland today and unable to listen to 'good ole 103, I am intested to know if the SNP gagging order was effective?
Angus
Have you pulled your local tax article and table?
Only to happy to advise.
its time
1. I was gagged (still not sure why)
2. Sorry b@llsed up the posting amendment and didn't repost correctly. Thanks for point this out.
Angus wrote...
I gave the benefit of the doubt last time, but this is definitely too far and too much. Just who is approving this censorship, and why is free speech under threat in the Western Isles?
No good asking us Angus. Better you ask the SNP leadership that question, Souter and Farmer.
What are the local SNP playing at? Getting rid of the best Councillor becasue he agreed with party policy and then trying to gaga him?
Amadans. (Idiots for youse who don't speak gaelic)
Angus
It's really concerning that there may be 1 or 2 or even more 'suitable persons' that the snp think are ok for Isles fm. You never know,even this strategy may backfire yet.
In fact, there's probably a good chance it'll do just that.
What a dirty game this 'politics' is.
I was gagging, this morning too, it's this bloody cold ( no I'm a man, therefore it must be the flu, or something worse ) bug that seems to be doing the rounds. Oh I see, that's not the type of gagging you were referring to. I really will need to read your blog, before submitting a comment, next time. Cheery Tws...........
"It's really concerning..."
Yes, flying 45. You could say it's "quite worrying" too.
:-)))
Perhaps you should send a letter to the editor of the gazette regarding your gagging by certain SNP members. But I very much doubt if the editors boss the chief reporter would allow her to print it. By the way why has that man of great integrity Murdo "Maroot" Macleod and Gordon Anderson not been expelled by the SNP. You were expelled for thinking about standing where as they are actually standing. "I smell some brown stuff" and I think it is coming from Alex Salmond. If you were to threaten them with legal action I think Alex would CAC himself.
'macho=troll' thank you for pointing this out other anon, i didn't think it polite to do so myself!
ZZzzzzzzz.......
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