Jackie, Kenan Malik here. Thanks for the link to my Observer article. But, no, I wasn’t “ignorant” of the fact that sections of the original Bill – such as that pertaining to intent – were dropped. Which is why the only issue I actually mention in my article was that it “potentially criminalises private conversations”.
Thanks a lot for reading that. Yes it does, although the removal of the lower bar makes a difference - it has to be a deliberate attempt to stir up hatred. There is also a safeguard that particular attention should be paid to the right to free expression under the European Conventions on Human Rights. I guess with so much happening online nowadays the bar between what you do in the home and what you do in public is a bit blurred?
Jackie, Kenan Malik here. Thanks for the link to my Observer article. But, no, I wasn’t “ignorant” of the fact that sections of the original Bill – such as that pertaining to intent – were dropped. Which is why the only issue I actually mention in my article was that it “potentially criminalises private conversations”.
Thanks a lot for reading that. Yes it does, although the removal of the lower bar makes a difference - it has to be a deliberate attempt to stir up hatred. There is also a safeguard that particular attention should be paid to the right to free expression under the European Conventions on Human Rights. I guess with so much happening online nowadays the bar between what you do in the home and what you do in public is a bit blurred?
I edited the piece to remove that line