I really, really enjoyed this particular piece. I never knew this much space could be used to say "we are not allowed to tell you anything". I am not being snarky. I love it. It is beautiful. And it really does pique my curiosity.
The Guardian has been prevented from reporting parliamentary proceedings on legal grounds which appear to call into question privileges guaranteeing free speech established under the 1688 Bill of Rights.
Today's published Commons order papers contain a question to be answered by a minister later this week. The Guardian is prevented from identifying the MP who has asked the question, what the question is, which minister might answer it, or where the question is to be found.
The Guardian is also forbidden from telling its readers why the paper is prevented – for the first time in memory – from reporting parliament. Legal obstacles, which cannot be identified, involve proceedings, which cannot be mentioned, on behalf of a client who must remain secret.
It must be very explosive if they (whoever that is) can gag a big newspaper.
More in link.
Has anyone seen State of Play? (The real one, not the new silly one with Russel Crowe, but the one where Bill Nighy is the editor.) I am reminded of one of the most spectacular scenes there.
Of course I have!

There's an American version?? Horror!!
Confused but on a higher level
formerly known as matfriend
Guardian gagged
- 13/10/2009 10:19:23 AM
1045 Views
The new "silly" one is quite excellent, thankyouverymuch
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- 13/10/2009 10:52:33 AM
310 Views
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- 13/10/2009 10:52:33 AM
310 Views
And you do NOT replace David Morissey with Ben Affleck
- 13/10/2009 11:28:51 AM
641 Views
It was Affleck's best performance to date
- 13/10/2009 11:39:22 AM
650 Views
Re: It was Affleck's best performance to date
- 13/10/2009 11:52:16 AM
646 Views
This argument is irrelevant.
- 13/10/2009 01:27:01 PM
631 Views
Re: This argument is irrelevant.
- 13/10/2009 02:39:35 PM
643 Views
Apparently....
- 13/10/2009 01:41:39 PM
663 Views
Fascinating
- 13/10/2009 02:40:58 PM
664 Views
The article itself is highly amusing. The content... somewhat disturbing actually.
- 13/10/2009 05:06:38 PM
659 Views
I'm very curious
- 13/10/2009 05:10:03 PM
986 Views
The gag has been dropped. Also: write a freaking constitution already.
*NM*
- 14/10/2009 12:40:01 AM
314 Views
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- 14/10/2009 12:40:01 AM
314 Views
Don't really need one. There is an earlier rulin which makes this one problematic, I think?
- 14/10/2009 08:49:22 AM
633 Views
Re: Guardian gagged
- 15/10/2009 12:16:17 AM
791 Views
Re: Guardian gagged
- 15/10/2009 09:43:00 AM
598 Views

*NM*