Have we started to introduce censorship in the House of Commons? The House of Commons speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has given his view on the article published on Angela Rayner crossing and uncrossing her legs as a ploy to distract the Prime Minister.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s job is to determine who can and cannot speak during debates and to keep the MPs in ‘order’ stated: “I express my sympathy to Angela Rayner for this type of comment. It’s demeaning, offensive to women in Parliament and can only deter women who might be considering standing for election to the detriment of us all.”
Because of the article, Sir Lindsay Hoyle has summoned the editor of the Mail Online on Sunday and the chair of the press lobby for a meeting. He wants to discuss the issue and its effect on the parliamentary community.
The minister for Digital Economy, Chris Philp, stated that it is “offensive, misogynistic and abusive“.
The significant issue here is that no one knows who said the statement and what will be done to the person once they discover who it is. The story seems to have moved on a little to consider the role of the press in our everyday lives. Is this now moving toward some press censorship?
There are now two major issues here:
Press censorship
Women in Public Life, are they safe?
Press Censorship in the House of Commons
With Sir Lindsay Hoyle arranging a meeting with the newspaper and press lobby editor, are we now going to introduce press censorship because a story is unsavoury or misogynist? Indeed, we should focus on the thought pattern of the person who is looking at how a woman is sitting and ask even more fundamental questions, like, what is your view of women in the workplace, should women become members of Parliament? If the answer to the latter question is NO, I would suggest that we do not want this person in Parliament and certainly don’t want him to represent us as a whole.
Censorship is never the answer. It only allows the person doing wrong to continue going about their business without consequences. We need to stand up and state that this behaviour is unacceptable. We need to shout out when we see misogyny, sexism, or other discrimination. Otherwise, we are complicit in their behaviour.
Is it true that today someone made a misogynistic comment about how Angela Rayner was sitting in Parliament? This doesn’t answer who made the statement. Should the journalist reveal their source, or should they keep the name of the informant secret? If the editor refuses to disclose their informant, is this also censorship? Can we accept that there are times when censorship in the house of commons is acceptable? Doesn’t Angela Rayner have a right to defend herself from the author of the comments?
There is no easy answer regarding freedom of the press and censorship. In a case like this, where there is potentially misogynistic behaviour, the public must have all the information available to them to make an informed decision. However, if revealing the source of information would put them in danger, it might be necessary to withhold some details. Ultimately, it is up to the journalist to weigh the pros and cons and decide based on what they believe is in the public’s best interests.
House of Commons is it safe for Women?
Is there a problem with misogyny in Parliament, and are women welcome in the House of Commons? Their actions indeed destroy the words used by many politicians to say. Yes, women are welcome. The statement against Angela Rayner and the comment that she uses her body to control or distract Boris Johnson from political points are disgraceful. Even thinking that a professional female Member of Parliament would use her body like this is outrageous. This behaviour has come to light, as reported in a national newspaper.
What is going on in Parliament with female MP and female staff? Why do men believe they can do, say, and have whatever they want? We do not know the sex of the person who commented. But the picture is of a group of men, so it would appear that this is something that men in The House of Commons have said. Is this the only instance of misogyny in Parliament? No, it is not. There have been other reports, and more will probably come. This is an issue that needs has to be addressed
Shocking behaviour towards Women in Public Office
“At which point do you take threats seriously or dismiss them? I’ve had death threats on Twitter, or threats of violence. Do I just shrug it off, thinking it’s some person tweeting me at 3 am from California or is it someone who can access me? I have dismissed threats and considering this, I don’t think I can dismiss some of the comments directed at me. Online misogyny and death threats are all violence against women. Just because it’s online doesn’t make it any more acceptable than if it was in print or said verbally. The online world has to be safe for women as well. It’s not something that we should take and accept. It needs to be challenged, especially now.” Tulip Siddiq (Female MP).
The MP Jess Phillips reported she received over 600 rape threats via Twitter in one night. And numerous comments about her appearance. Wouls censorship in the house of commons prevent this type of attack on women in the house of commons?
Cover-up or Censorship In the House of Commons, what can we do?
The media needs to continue to report on these types of issues. The public should know what is going on, it would be a disaster if we had censorship in the house of commons.
Action against those who are guilty of making these comments.
We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen again by making some changes in Parliament
But we also need to remember one thing: this is not just a problem in Parliament, but in society. While we are dealing with the issue in Parliament, we need to be working on tackling misogyny in the community. Thank you for your time.
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I am a massive fan of Binge-Watching television, and I think it must have something to do with the fact I like to be in control. However, I can justify my reasoning as I love to get involved in the show and the story’s characters. I have my idea of what they should do and how each character will react in any situation. I like the predictability of the show’s premise, and it is comforting. When I work all day, I want entertainment. I don’t want to overthink, and I don’t want to be yelled at or told what I should think or do.
Take, for example, Supernatural. I have watched this series 15 times. I know this because there have been 15 seasons. The first five seasons were ‘page turners’. As the last episode of the previous season started, the next DVD was ready to be inserted into the DVD player.
Let’s Talk Supernatural Numbers
Supernatural had 15 seasons, and each season had circa 22 episodes. That is 320 episodes in total. Every time a new season was released, I had to return to the first season and start afresh. That is fine until you get to season 13 onwards. It means that it takes months to get to the new season.
The loss in Binge-Watching
Binge-Watching television
The problem with binge-watching is that you suffer a loss once the show is over. First, there is Shock and Denial. Why did the show finish? Will they make another one? What are the actors doing now? What do I watch now? You then spend a few hours on google researching the actors, watching the bloopers and finally accepting the show is over. That empty feeling of what now finally kicks in. Goodbye, my friends. You never knew me, but I knew you, and I miss you already. The DVD goes back into the cupboard.
Looking for a new show
Then there is the pain of looking for something else to watch. It’s difficult. TV is so dull. It’s either news, game shows or reality TV. I don’t think I have watched regular television in years. If there is something I may like, I tend to record the show so I can watch what I want and fast forward the bits I don’t wish to watch. Investing in a new series is tricky as you know the investment you are about to put into the show is enormous.
After supernatural, I selected Criminal Minds. I watched three seasons in a row. I couldn’t face another episode of the brutal murder of a woman just because a man had a plan to do as much damage to another human being as possible. It made me feel very sad, and my worldview temporarily changed. I watched the entire series of The Big Bang Theory to wipe Criminal Minds from my memory.
Mistakes when selecting the Wrong Show
Choosing the wrong series is devastating, as selecting a show will be a significant part of your viewing life for months. Picking the wrong show makes you wish for the previous one to start over. The show becomes a friend; the characters are best mates and comfortable.
I moved on from Supernatural and The Big Bang Theory to Midsummer Murders. Twenty-two seasons, that’s 129 and today, I caught myself referring to the show as ‘Our normal reliable show’. I am on season 22, so there are only a few episodes left, and then the search will start over. Once you find a suitable series, it’s like welcoming a close friend over for tea.
How to select a new show
I have several criteria when selecting a new TV show; the first is that the women have to be intelligent, independent and will never trip over a twig running away. I can’t bear pathetic women on TV shows.
Binge-watching TV is slowly becoming the new normal TV viewing. Indeed, Netflix and Amazon Prime have the science down to a tea. Just as one show finishes, you have 10 seconds to decide if you will watch the next episode. The show has piqued your interest, and before you know it, it’s 1 am, and you have to be at work in 5 hours. If, for any reason, your mind wonders, the show could have started.
Why do we Binge-Watch Television?
This binge-watching (the new word of the year in 2015) leaves people with a hit of dopamine, the feel-good chemical. We human beings take comfort from familiarity, from the constant sensation of dopamine, and we want more of that feeling. The need to have that feel good and exciting feeling is a massive driving force and we don’t want to be shocked. We want friendly and we want to tune in and out of the show and know we are not missing anything. We want nice, which is very different from person to person.
For example, I can’t stand zombies. The movies leave me cold. I can’t see the point of them. A lot of dead people walk around slowly dripping blood. You see nothing at all. However, a friend of mine loves them. They can’t get enough of them. Selecting our TV shows thus can become rather tricky.
Binge-watching Television, my Recommendations
Having written about some of my binge-watching television habits, I thought I should give you some of my recommendations. This list is not definitive and will change over the weeks and months, especially as new shows are online. However, as it stands today, this is my list of binge-watching television shoes I would recommend.
Supernatural – Always, and the first show anyone should binge-watch
Broadchurch – fantastic and a 1 am show
Doctor Who – Has to be on any list
Midsummer Murders – You diff entry don’t want to move there. It is the murder capital of the world, but in a very British middle-class kind of way.
Aliens – all the movies, a bag of popcorn and chocolates and your set.
Harry Potter – Good escape movie
Blakes Seven – The scenery may wobble, and the acting is just as wobbly, but a good watch.
Carry on movies – a feel-good set of movies
Endeavour – the prequel to Morse. Slow and stays slow, but worth a watch
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel – maybe two shows, but it’s one in my mind
Services offering Binge-Watching Television
Most of these television services require a monthly fee, but you may be interested in finding out what shows they have to offer:
Amazon prime
Netflix
Apple TV
Britbox
Sky
In Conclusion to binge-watching television
I prefer to binge-watch television shows. It puts me in control of the television and what is playing. I don’t have to watch adverts, and I can watch the show at my convince and pause whenever I like. Have you watched any of the shows, I have mentioned? If you have any suggestions of shows you think would be worth investing in, please note them below. I would love to hear your thoughts.
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