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Podcasting Censored by Government

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the censor-what-you-don't-want-to-hear dept.

PodCoward writes "VH is blogging that in Belgium a former talk-show host and now member of parliament for the biggest political party, Jurgen Verstrepen, received a fine of 12,500 Euro because he hadn't asked permission for his podcast." From the article: "The decision is apparently politically inspired and motivated by content, although formal reasons like non-compliance with Flanders' media regulation have been put forward in the motivation of the decision to fine. The issue has raised some serious concerns about free speech on the Internet in Flanders, about the definition of 'broadcasting,' and about territoriality."

4 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. Slashdot used for racist agitprop by burne · · Score: 5, Interesting

    A novell idea. Let's use slashdot to gain exposure and some credibility for what most people would consider to be the whining and howling of a bunch of racists.

  2. This is a surprise? by qurve · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Most countries in europe do not recognize the right to free speech. Look at the anti-nazi-speech laws in Germany and many other countries in europe. The most important speech to protect is the speech that you despise.

  3. Re:European internet control needed? by Jugalator · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ???

    Would you immediately generalize in the same way to cover the policy of the entire US when it's about a whacky decision in one state?

    I hope you do, as European countries are less tied to the EU than US states are to the USA.

    --
    Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
  4. Re:Anonymously said by VomitInc · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Ah, so funny, these defenders of free censorship. Some more interesting facts:

    • Yes, the Vlaams Belang is Belgium's worst nightmare, but because it wants Flanders' independence, not because it is national-socialist. On the contrary, it is not socialist at all, only Flemish nationalist. Flemish nationalists are like the Irish, but without the terrorism: they just want to live in an independent Flanders and want to jettison the foreign Wallonia that constantly wants other policies and has undemocratic vetoing power. Nothing remotely connected with the expansionist German national socialist.
    • The only kind of people that need to be sickened of fear in Flanders are those that defend the VB points of view. They are kicked out of labour unions, ostracised, and as in the Jurgen Verstrepen case fined.

      • By all means remain anonymous if you like, but don't play a sad victim here. Anonymity here only protects you from getting humiliated with facts.

        "Hate" in the Orwellian sense is shorthand newspeak for "a point of view that I hate".