Hollywood, British Celebs Silent on Extreme UK Censorship

August 12, 2024 admin Celebrity Gossip 0

A decade-old clip of “Mr. Bean” star Rowan Atkinson is going viral.

Again.

Even X overlord Elon Musk shared it.

Why now?

The comic actor took a robust stand for free speech during a 2012 lecture. Twelve years later, social media users hunger for someone, anyone, to defend speech in the wake of alarming headlines coming from across the pond.

That’s why.

MPs want social media companies to ban user accounts accused of inciting violence, and they have criticized these companies for not following such instructions previously. Labour MP Chris Curtis argued that social media bosses need to “step up and deal with vile messages stoking division and egging on violence.” Similarly, Conservative and Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly said it was “unacceptable for [social media companies] to take the profits but not comply with their responsibilities.” Some MPs even want to haul X owner Elon Musk before a Parliamentary committee to explain the platform’s “role in spreading misinformation.”

Arrests can follow. British police sure hope so.

The real reason for the speech clampdown? UK officials are struggling to contain residents’ rage at soaring crime rates and issues related to unchecked immigration. Rather than address the problems they’re scapegoating social media users.

Some misinformation helped fuel recent UK-based riots, but that’s hardly a unique phenomena. Consider the “hands up, don’t shoot” lie that stoked weeks of “mostly peaceful” protests following the 2014 death of Michael Brown.

Even showing videos of the protests and unrest might seal your fate.

And Americans could be next, even though they live thousands of miles away and have only shared comments from their phones and keyboards.

“We will throw the full force of the law at people. And whether you’re in this country committing crimes on the streets or committing crimes from further afield online, we will come after you,” Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told Sky News.

Making matters worse?

The European Union is threatening Musk over his planned interview with former President Donald Trump. Don’t share too much “misinformation,” or Musk could be targeted next.

Yes, it’s a threat.

“With great audience comes greater responsibility,” wrote Thierry Breton, the EU’s commissioner for Internal Market, in a post on X. “As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk.”

Meanwhile the UK Guardian just uncorked an op-ed calling for Musk’s arrest.

So what are American celebrities doing about the problem? Oscar nominee Glenn Close attacked the issue immediately, to her credit.

Oh, wait. She’s complaining about Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance’s “cat lady” quip.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by The Real Glenn Close (@glennclose)

We’ve yet to see a groundswell of outrage from either British or American celebrities. They may be next to none at this point.

Or ever.

Some U.S.-based groups still care deeply about free speech. Take FIRE, which shared its concern over the British clampdown on, where else, X.

The ACLU, a group which previously fought for free speech, ignored the matter. The group did share this vital message, though.

Celebrities have been mostly silent on free speech-related issues for some time.

There are exceptions.

  • Bill Maher
  • John Cleese
  • Ricky Gervais
  • Judy Gold
  • Rob Schneider
  • Joe Rogan

Recall that Atkinson’s speech also went viral in 2020. Clearly we need to hear what he’s saying, and the fact that it’s even more necessary in 2024 speaks to how urgent the fight to defend expression remains.

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