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Sweden: MPs want to limit press freedom
Swedish politicians favour tough restrictions on press freedom, according to a new survey. A majority of Swedish members of parliament want to forbid 'sexist' advertising, force newspapers to gain permission when they publish photos of celebrities and to ban the publication the names of suspects in criminal trials.In results described as "frightening" by the Swedish Newspaper Publishers' Association, 60 percent of MPs want to make it possible for companies to sue media for defamation. Especially state-owned companies, staffed with political cronies. The findings are the result of a survey of all members of parliament carried out by polling company Sifo. Of Sweden's 349 MPs, 227 responded to the questions. PeO Wärring, deputy chairman of the Swedish Newspaper Publishers' Association, said that MPs "do not understand the importance of freedom of speech and freedom of the press for an open and democratic society." Au contraire, mon amis, the communists understand all to well how freedom of speech interferes with their "special, unique, and precious" right to deliver ukazes from the imperial conference table. 77 percent of MPs replied that newspapers should be banned from publishing names and photos of crime suspects until they are convicted. 55 percent said sexist advertisements should be banned. That's how a police state works: Suspects cannot be named when sought; suspects cannot be named when arrested; suspects cannot be named when indicted; suspects cannot be named when tried. Why, then, bother with public trials? 59 percent said that police should be banned from leaking details of investigations to the media. Sweden's current freedom of speech laws mean they can usually speak to the media about investigations without fear of disciplinary action. 55 percent wanted a law to limit the rights of media to report on famous people. As with most of the other issues, support for restrictions was reduced since the survey was carried out last year, when the Social Democrats were in power. Then, 74 percent of MPs wanted restrictions. "Famous" people, being first and foremost, political rulers and their cronies. 55 percent of those asked said that damages in cases involving press freedom should be "raised substantially." "Freedom of the press and freedom of expression have been won by the people through political struggle. Our politicians must not forget this, and should take their responsibility for the citizen's right to know," said PeO Wärring. How brave. What you should have said is that the survival of liberty in Sweden requires that these political thugs be kicked out of office in the next election. That's "democracy". Posted by: mrp 2007-08-24 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=197071 |