Wednesday, October 05, 2005



Is it sedition to call a dork a dork?

The Broadcasting Standards Authority delivered a judgement yesterday stating that it's OK to call Prince Philip a dork. But while it may not breach broadcasting regulations, it may breach the law against sedition, as it incites disaffection against the crown.

Which is yet another reason why this archaic law has to go...

3 comments:

Ha, is it possible to bring a private prosecution for sedition against this danger to society, Mr J. Campbell? (And what about his role in Corngate!?)

Does this protection against disaffection extend to everyone on the List O' Royals. Is it a crime to incite disaffection against Princess Michael of Kent or The Honourable Lady Ogilviy?

Posted by dc_red : 10/06/2005 08:54:00 AM

Technically the crime is inciting disaffection against Her Majesty or the government. But then, he is her husband, and one reflects on the other - not to mention the whole institution of monarchy. And it certainly would have been considered seditious in the not-so-distant past.

I'm not sure about private prosecutions for sedition; you may have to be a wronged party in order to have standing. But it would certainly be one way of gaining a precedent that would gut the law. OTOH, legislation is almost certainly safer.

Posted by Idiot/Savant : 10/06/2005 09:11:00 AM

I think John Campbell calling someone a dork is chutzpah of the highest order.

Posted by Anonymous : 10/06/2005 04:40:00 PM