Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Lynne Jones (Labour), on Thursday, 15 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 25 members in total.

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MR ROBERT KILROY SILK AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH

That this House regards freedom of speech as a precious component of democracy; therefore believes that the Sunday Express and all other newspapers should be free to decide the authorship and content of their publications, subject to the law; supports the public service broadcasting obligations of the BBC in ensuring the impartiality of presenters of current affairs programmes, noting the distinction between a critic paid by the BBC to give opinions and a presenter paid by the BBC to field opinions and that the latter must remain publicly impartial; further notes that with regard to the article by Robert Kilroy-Silk in the 4th January edition of the Sunday Express, the BBC investigation is about impartiality and the Commission for Racial Equality referral of the article to the Police is to investigate whether it constitutes incitement to racial hatred; supports the freedom of the press but also believes that it is right to have laws against incitement to racial hatred, paedophilia and exploitative pornography which necessarily introduce some limits to freedom of speech and expression; notes that the rise of Nazi fascism in Germany was assisted by propaganda which dehumanised and vilified Jewish people as a race and believes that the present day use of similar tactics in relation to any ethnic or religious group, for example blaming Arab people in general for the events of 11th September, should be condemned.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received 3 amendments.

441A1

Line 5, leave out 'noting the' and insert 'seeing no'

441A2

Line 6, leave out 'the latter' and insert 'both'

441A3

Line 17, at end add 'and therefore urges similar action to be taken by the BBC and Commission for Racial Equality in respect of Mr Tom Paulin and his comments calling for Jews and Israeli citizens to be shot, describing them as Nazis and racists, and denying the right of the State of Israel to exist.'

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

441 

441A1 

441A2 

441A3 

Session

2003-04

Subjects

BBC Freedom of expression Racial discrimination Former members Sunday Express Kilroy-Silk, Robert

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk