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London Magazine Branch

June 1999

Is there a case for censoring fascists' views
and activities - or their election broadcasts?

 
         ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
 

• West Africa appeal
   
• What the branch
  has been up to
   
  

JUST three days after the British National Party's Euro election broadcast was shown on the BBC, and within days of Post Office managers threatening disciplinary action against workers who refused to deliver Nazi election leaflets, the Mirror broke the story that the man charged with the London nail bombings, David Copeland, was a member of the BNP.

Even before Copeland was arrested, no-one - except the police - was in any doubt that the bombing campaign was inspired by fascist hate-sheets and websites.

Not surprisingly, hundreds protested at BBC buildings, and 850 people rang the duty office, to complain about the BBC's decision to transmit the BNP election broadcast.

Do such organisations have a right to disseminate their views through the media, to organise marches and hold public meetings? And do journalists have an obligation to report their activities without comment?

Or does free speech for fascists automatically mean less freedom for blacks, gays, socialists and trade unionists? For instance, when the BNP "book shop" opened in Welling in Kent, racist attacks went up by 210 percent. Stephen Lawrence was one of those murdered in this hate-filled atmosphere.

Gerry Gable, who has edited the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight through most of its 25-year history, will introduce the debate at this month's branch meeting. There will be plenty of time after the debate for reports from chapels and workplaces.

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West Africa appeal

The assets of West Africa magazine have been bought by a Ghana-based publisher from the liquidator. The company was not interested in buying West Africa as a going concern, and does not appear to have any intention of employing any of the staff.
We hope that readers may be able to offer freelance shifts to members who have lost their jobs on the title. Brief CVs follow:

Themon Djaksam,
specialist writer on francophone Africa;
TV and radio commentator on the region's politics since 1991;
sport editor 1994-97;
bilingual in French and English.
Contact 0181 671 8439.

Chris Ejimofor,
business editor and writer;
experienced in QuarkXPress, Photoshop and Word.
Contact 0171 738 6714.

Denrele Ogunwa,
reporter and feature writer;
specialist in the black diaspora, art and culture.
Contact Tel/Fax: 0171 820 0324;
denrele.ogunwa@virgin.net

Dave Womersley,
production editor, IT support engineer and writer;
Experienced in PageMaker 4.0 on PC and Novell network.
Contact 0171 791 2907;
dave-womersley@claramail.com

Tayo Fatunla,
designer, illustrator and cartoonist
(work published internationally).
Contact 0181 311 2602;
mobile 0802 970511;
tayo.fatunla@btinternet.com

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Debating points

Seamus Milne, father of chapel at the Guardian and the paper's labour correspondent, opened a lively debate at May's branch meeting on the issues of reporting the war in Kosovo.
The meeting, which was open to non-members, was the biggest for some time. We hope this month's debate on censorship will be as energetic.

The branch passed two motions. The first, in the wake of the London nail bombing campaign, was to write to the National executive and the general secretary of the union requesting they take the necessary steps to allow branches to vote on affiliation to the Anti Nazi League. Read the text here.

The second motion was to send greetings to Marxism 99, the week of political debate held at the University of London Union, 9-16 July, to publicise the event and to buy a single week ticket for the use of branch members. Please e-mail the Report editor to book times and dates for this ticket.

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