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UK Police Warn Sharing James Foley Killing Video Is a Crime

Posted by samzenpus on from the do-not-pass-go dept.

An anonymous reader points out that UK authorities have warned that sharing the video of the James Foley murder could lead to prosecution under anti-terror laws. Scotland Yard has warned internet users they could be arrested under terrorism legislation if they viewed or shared the video of James Foley's murder, as Twitter and YouTube attempted to remove all trace of the footage from the web. Twitter suspended dozens of accounts that published the graphic footage while YouTube tried to remove several copies of the video, which was first uploaded on Tuesday night. Twitter CEO Dick Costolo tweeted: "We have been and are actively suspending accounts as we discover them related to this graphic imagery. Thank you." The unprecedented social media clampdown came as the Metropolitan police warned that even viewing the video could constitute a criminal offence in the UK. The force said in a statement: "The MPS counter-terrorism command (SO15) is investigating the contents of the video that was posted online in relation to the alleged murder of James Foley. We would like to remind the public that viewing, downloading or disseminating extremist material within the UK may constitute an offence under terrorism legislation."

9 of 391 comments (clear)

  1. Jurisdiction 101 by TitusC3v5 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Good luck with that.

    --
    And the masses cried out, "09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0!"
    1. Re:Jurisdiction 101 by geogob · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you believe jurisdiction questions are more important to the officials in the UK than in USA, you should go back and review some history lessons. Actually, the only people who care less about international law and jurisdiction than the those in the USA, are those in the UK.

    2. Re: Jurisdiction 101 by Thanshin · · Score: 5, Insightful

      There is no written law because writing laws about watching the video, is a crime.

      The Police Press Officer couldn't explain that because explaining that writing laws about watching the video is a crime, is a crime.

      Please don't mod this up, as modding up a post commenting the fact that explaining that writing laws about watching the video is a crime, is a crime.

      (Yes I did miss one "is a crime" a the end of that sentence, but, yep, you guessed it, not missing the last "is a crime", is a crime, is a c... hmmm...)

  2. Re:Thoughtcrime by fredprado · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Anytime someone prohibits you from viewing, listening or reading something it is thought crime, and policing thought is barbaric and unjustifiable violence against individuals.

  3. haven't watched it... by ThorGod · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why would anyone actually want to watch it?

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    PS: I don't reply to ACs.
    1. Re:haven't watched it... by thegarbz · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I have a more important question:
      Why should it be illegal that I do?

  4. Every other answer is worse by hyades1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The video should be published. James Foley knew the decisions he was making put him in danger. He walked in with his eyes open, having decided that his photographs could tell the story of average people caught up in the evil going on around them...and that they were worth the risk.

    The only thing worse than the murderous pieces of excrement who killed him are the fascist bastards in bespoke suits who want to use his death as an excuse to turn our freedom-loving countries into the same kind of totalitarian state ISIS is trying to create.

    Fuck them. They're as bad as the terrorists.

    We need to decide: is our freedom worth the price of a few successful terrorist attacks, or should we simply open the door wide to Big Brother, and invite him in for a permanent visit.

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  5. Re:Thoughtcrime by thegarbz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So tell me why seeing something with my eyes should be illegal?

    Tell me again who have I harmed, who have I affected, in what way was the public at large affected? Everything that is happening is happening in your own mind. That by definition is a thought crime, which incidentally also is a true victimless crime.

  6. Insult to the journalist's entire career by Ardeaem · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The idea it would be illegal to view a video of the death of a journalist -- whose very reason for being there was to inform people about events just like this -- is an insult to Foley's entire career, and to brave journalists everywhere.