NewYou can listen to Fox News articles now!
In the anti-free speech community, the most unbearable form of speech is usually humor. For thousands of years, satirical and imitation have proved that this is the deepest, sometimes annoying, of political rhetoric. Even with absolute rulers, court jokes are often the few numbers that can challenge the king. As Shakespeare In “King Lear”, “joking often proves the prophet.”
As for comedian Graham Linehan, he became an unconscious prophet of death, not only free speech, but also in U.K.. The co-creator of the British sitcom “Father Ted” was arrested at London Heathrow Airport and allegedly criticized trans activists on several social media. These positions are not jokes, but political commentary.
Linehan said five armed personnel met him and he told him he was arrested in three positions on X.
British comedian Graham Linehan arrested on social media for criticizing trans people
He said officials asked him in an article X, in which he wrote: “If a trans male is in a female space, he is committing violence, abuse.” He added that people will be forced to create scenes, call the police, or even “beat” the criminal.
Metropolitan police in London confirmed it had arrested a man “related to the position on X”. Linehan said he was told there was only one bail condition: “I don’t go to Twitter. That’s it. There is no threat, no speech about the seriousness of my crime – just a legal gag order designed to close me when I’m in the UK”.
Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan left Westminster District Court on 4 September 2025 in London, England. Linehan was charged in court with harassment without violence and criminal damage related to the incidents that occurred in 2024. Linehan is known for co-creating TV sitcoms like “Father Ted” and “IT Crowd” and is also outspoken about the trans-rights movement. Linehan was arrested on September 1 for allegedly inciting violence against anti-TRANS social media posts he posted earlier this year. (Alishia Abodunde/Getty image)
This is not surprising for those who live in the UK or other European countries. The government has steadily increased convictions and speech regulations for speech, including religious and political speech, under laws such as the Communications Act of 2003 and the Online Security Act of 2023.
British citizens are not alone. Freedom of speech has been no joke in Europe and the rest of the world for many years. The comedian has been accused of France arrive Germany arrive Brazil arrive turkey arrive Canada An insulting joke.
In my book,Essential Right: Freedom of speech, in an age of anger,“I discussed free speech in Europe’s free fall, and the EU is pushing for a global censorship system on social media including U.S. companies. The voice that triggers the most today is the laughter of those who hold opposing views.
In Scotland, comedians object Strict law This has the potential to criminalize widespread jokes. This would allow arrests for anyone who is believed to be “inciting hatred” against a group of people, and even allow arrests for possessing inflammatory materials in a hope of conveying the materials.
Many people in this country share a lack of humor in pathology. exist Hawaiicomedians and others object to a law crime “Recklessly” distributes “substantively deceptive media”. In universities, the main anti-free speech culture not only cultivates a generation of speech phobia, but also proposes humorless speech phobia.
“Father Ted” co-creator Graham Linehan spoke to the media on May 12 in the media outside the District Court of Westminster, London. The 56-year-old Irish comedy writer pleaded not guilty to harassing trans women and damaging her phone. (Luxi North/PA image via Getty image)
Past polls show Six out of 10 students think that “offensive jokes” are “hate speech.” Comedians are often cancelled on university campuses and many will no longer be in University And the university due to intolerance.
Click here for more Fox News comments
As Fox News’ success shows, the public still values avant-garde comedy.Gutfield! ” In the rating, this has surpassed traditional online late night programs.
It turns out that the public does not want humor just from left to left. The latest example is “a post-production show with Stephen Colbert”, which not only loses audiences, but also reports a $50 million a year, with its exclusive sense of humor.
Ironically, the country that brought us Monty Python is now mainstreaming George Orwell. In the UK, acceptable range of humor is left to government decisions.
This is a standard that seems to follow Supreme Court Justice Porter Stewart On 378 US 184 (1964) of Knowing Pornographic Content in Jacobellis v. Ohio: “I will not try further today to define the kind of material I understand to accept in the shorthand description; maybe I will never be able to do this successfully. But, but I will never be able to succeed. When I see it, I know. ”
Comedians like Linehan leave behind allowed humor, determined by the anemic comedy style of the most left-wing or Metropolitan police.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Authorized by these censorship laws, activists often seem to spend more time trying to silence the rest of Europe than speaking for themselves. Individuals and groups often bring criminal proceedings against those who have objections. This includes a ruthless campaign against the author JK Rowling There are other people who oppose trans policy to undermine feminist achievements in movements and other areas.
Author JK Rowling arrived at “Fantastic Beast: Dumbledore’s Secret” on March 29, 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
Censorship itself is now a humorous challenge and perspective-a form of release of intelligence. While most wise people watched Linehan’s arrest in horror, it was a thrill and even fun for those who used these laws. They have little concern that these laws may one day violate them. After all, as Rogers explained, “As long as other people happen, everything is fun.”
Click here to read more about Jonathan Turley
