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Mr
Kurtz, I would like to present you with a case of
political and media censorship that needs to be addressed
in Northern Ireland and has now stepped over to effect
periodicals in the US. My knowledge and history has
shown me all too often that people who covet power
often try to remove or destroy the messengers of truth.
By being addressed one wonders if it puts people's
lives in safety or in danger. It can only be surmised
they have entered into their roles to try and ensure
free speech so they know the risks. There are two
issues: one is the censorship and harassment of writers
(one in particular) in Belfast, his censorship by
a newspaper there to the point of not even being able
to respond in letters to the editor on attacks they
make on him in print; his house being picketed, harassment
and threats.
Now
we are not talking some light headed ignorant person.
Anthony McIntyre is an intelligent, well versed and
an informed writer.
The
second issue is that it seems the matter has now stepped
over to the US where a columnist Eamon Lynch from
NY has just resigned from a periodical called the
Irish Echo due to a column he wrote there. The
Echo has decided to publish and support a rebuttal
by the Andersonstown News adding a statement
that Mr. Lynch found unacceptable in the light of
a free press.
In
Northern Ireland there is a person(s) who have started
a free speech on-line magazine called "The
Blanket". Their policy is this: "The
Blanket project exists as a commitment to freedom
of speech. Its purpose is to facilitate analysis,
debate and discussion, to resist censorship, and to
create the space for a diversity of views." The
Blanket started off small and aimed to give a
place for free speech and debate, just as stated above.
Now
when something becomes known and respected it begins
to shake the status quo. Unless you know the history
of all the groups in Northern Ireland this part can
become confusing quickly. One supposes from where
one stands in this arena who the dissidents are. Now
I do not need to agree with many, some, any or all
of the writers who contribute. But more so it is about
free speech and if we tolerate this situation we are
in essence saying it is all right, I cannot stand
by and be party to that. This is about people who
have lived their lives in a country whose history
has been oppression and who attempt to keep people
honest and who are now caught up in collective power
and control. I realize the world has much going on
in many places. Yet I also feel this is reflective
of the type of thing that is prevelant in Northern
Ireland. The tactics of some political groups and
media have created an atmosphere that puts people
at risk not only in their right to express, but I
personally fear for their safety.
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