Education Secretary Michael Gove has defended newspapers’ “right to offend” and said the Daily Mail should not apologise to Labour leader Ed Miliband for a story criticising his father.
Precisely. He gets it. That is what freedom of speech and freedom of the press means. Of course, with that is the right of reply – which the Mail afforded Miliband junior. That they chose to stick with their story despite this is up to them and if that causes them flack, well, so be it. That’s what freedom of speech means too – being prepared to accept the fall-out should it come.
If they feel that they do not need to apologise, then good for them if they stick to their ground whatever follows. What should not happen is a mealy-mouthed apology because a thin-skinned politician got all offended, threw his toys out of the pram and then demanded an apology. Apologies should be heartfelt and meant. If they are not meant, then don’t give them and if the Labour Party and Milipede don’t like it, they will just have to suck it up. Sometimes people say unpleasant things. And sometimes, you just have to get over yourself. At least, we do in a sane and adult world.
Hear hear thats absolutely it, could not have said it better myself.
Mind you if I had said it, it would have been 500 words longer 😉 but thats only down to my dreadful tendency to ramble. ;D
As Churchill once said A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen.
This lot could not foretell a change in the weather let alone explain why it didn’t happen. Mainly because they are all too busy being offended by something or someone, and even busier focusing on their favourite thing THEMSELVES.