Gary Lineker - should any work/job ever get involved with any personal opinion/statement?

[Gibbons44]

Probably not the best website for such a question, but - considering freedom of sperch is the bedrock of democracy, and considering western businesses and governments have been dismissing/firing employees and contractors for any opinion published anywhere that isn't ultra leftist - should that ever be the case again?

If one posts something as a private person, what business is it of any company/employer? Does't threatening employees if they privately say something out of line with employer political preferences effectively kill democracy and enforce a dictatorship?

I mean I know the western HR is full of former Soviet prostitutes and spies - but surely the idiocy of insistance and brainwashing is a visible block to any level of a truly democratic debate? If it is only stated as an opinion and no act of harm is involved - how is it anyone else's business but of the person who stated it?

[jshm2]

Get your head out your ass. Freedom of speech is not the invention of democracy. It has always been a thing from the first civilisations. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.

You should have paid better attention in school. All democracy has done is make freedom of speech within the law something to prosecute people over. You can be prosecuted if you say something illegal or divulge information you should not have.

Doesn't matter if it's USA or China. You do not speak about certain things in certain circumstances, else you break the law. Get it into that asshat head of yours that you do NOT have freedom to break the law. Then demand that same law protect you.

[Gibbons44]

I was raised in the eastern block. There never was anything as bogus as democracy being taught nor being practiced over there.

[Leopard23]

Unless he's signed a contract that prohibits him from commenting on politics, like for instance if his employer was the government. Think the FBI has such policies for employees. I know a lot of teachers who just don't have social media profiles because a mere photograph of them during October fest with a beer near by can get them fired. I think most companies have conduct clauses related to outside work for instance if yiu attend a kkk or antifa rally you may get fired.

[lpoots]

interesting all these americnas putting comments in on a subject they know nothing about

[Leopard23]

@lpoots true. Did he sign such a contract? A guy gave me some great advice and it was to delete my twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts because HR may wear a smile but they aren't your friend.

[lpoots]

a contract as a sports presenter
not a new presenter

[Leopard23]

@lpoots... and in the contract he signed of his own free will does it state that he is not to publicly make political statements?

[EmmaMary]

I'm pretty sure that the British Broadcasting Corporation has a strict code of conduct which includes impartiality, which they played on when suspending Gary Lineker.

However there's does now appear to be some ambiguity in this, which I believe is now being review.

In the meantime Gary Lineker has agreed to abide by the current rulings, until such time any amendments are made.

[EmmaMary]

There is also the ongoing situation involving Jeremy Clarkson's article in a British Sunday newspaper, where he clearly states his own opinions on a certain Ms. Meghan Markle.

[lpoots]

gary lineker is a sports reporter
not a news journalist
this is a witch hunt of the right wing to remove the pressure of people saying the immagration bill is wrong
at the last election
alan sugar who presents the apprentice said
dont vote for jeremry corboryn

[Leopard23]

@lpoots she's right. If it's in your contract and you signed on the dotted line you are legally bound by it.

[EmmaMary]

Thank you for the MHO.

[lpoots]

@Leopard23
why are the right wing tossers picking on a sports presenter
when other high profile presenters are far more out spoken and nothing is done
this is a right wing attack to defuse attention from the governments fascist bill

[Gibbons44]

Is it not anti-democratic to oblige people to a code of conduct that includes hiding personal opinions?

[lpoots]

the biggest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism

[Gibbons44]

Which is being made an obligation everywhere except USA, basically