Top Thanet Blog Now Open To All

by Isle of Thanet Gazunder Internet Correspondent Anne Onymous

Eastcliff Richard, the island's most popular and best written blog ever, has reopened its doors to the world. At a glittering function attended by some of the UK's top millionaires and celebrities its owner Mr Richard Eastcliff, 29, welcomed readers old and new back to the fold.

'It's going to be bigger and better than ever,' Mr Eastcliff told the Gazunder. 'I've got a whole new approach. I've ditched the mocking tone and converted to the Church of Responsible Blogging. Plus I'll be handing out cash prizes - for example I've got a million for my millionth visitor!'

Pressed for details of his 'Million for a Million' giveaway, Mr Eastcliff confirmed that he had already placed a million Zimbabwe Dollars in a trust fund at a Swiss bank, and expected the prize to be claimed some time in 2046.

Eastcliff Richard has won a hatful of top comedy awards and prizes, including the Isle of Thanet Gazunder's coveted Golden Barker's Nest of Dumpton Gap two years in a row.

Richard Eastcliff is 29.

Click here to go to Eastcliff Richard blog

Bloggers Hail Victory For Freedom Of Speech

by Isle of Thanet Gazunder Legal Correspondent Judith Prudence

Anonymous bloggers across the island are celebrating after Thanet Life author Dr Simon Moores admitted an embarrassing defeat at the hands of internet giant Google.

Conservative councillor Moores claims that Google effectively sent him away with the proverbial flea in his ear after he demanded allegedly defamatory material be removed from Blogger, which is owned by the US firm. Writing in the online journal silicon.com he says:

I asked Google to remove the offending material. Google, which is also a UK limited company, answered:

Blogger.com and Blogspot.com are US sites regulated by US law. Blogger is a provider of content creation tools, not a mediator of that content. We allow our users to create blogs, but we don't make any claims about the content of these pages. We strongly believe in freedom of expression, even if a blog contains unappealing or distasteful content or presents unpopular viewpoints.

Given these facts, and pursuant with section 230(c) of the Communications Decency Act, Blogger does not remove allegedly defamatory, libellous or slanderous material from Blogger.com or Blogspot.com.

Moores claims he had received a 'constant flow of insults and defamation' and that his family had been abused in the street 'by complete strangers'. He continues:

I am told that even a court order from a British judge is not sufficient for Google to change its mind. So we now appear to have a situation in the UK where our own laws governing defamation, decency, libel and the simple test and protection of truth are governed by the more generous interpretation provided by the US legal system.

So if I made defamatory, racist or homophobic remarks about an MP on silicon.com, I could be sued. But if I'm an anonymous blogger, it is acceptable because I'm apparently protected by US rather than UK law.

One anonymous blogger who did not wish to be named told the Gazunder: 'We have yet to be provided with any proof or corroboration by Councillor Moores of the defamation he alleges, or that he has served any papers on anyone, either through a court of law, or via Google. He has not even had the courtesy to name any anonymous blog sites he believes he has a problem with. It appears, however, that Google has taken a sensible view and stood up for good old-fashioned values of freedom of speech.'

Another anonymous Thanet blogger added: 'On a purely common sense basis, if Moores had a problem with anything that had been said he could ask for an apology, which has been the way these things have been sorted out in the past, or posted a defence on his own blog. By not even naming names he appears to have gone to extraordinary lengths to clamp down on all Thanet bloggers. Google seem to have realised that healthy criticism of a local councillor and his policies amounts to fair comment and that 'fishing expeditions' to uncover the identity of an anonymous blogger or remove material under unproven allegations of defamation should be treated with the contempt they deserve.'

Click here for full text of Dr Simon Moores article on silicon.com
Click here for Blogger policy on alleged defamation

Thanet Blogger Apologises To Politician

By Isle of Thanet Gazunder Legal Correspondent Barry Star

A top Thanet blogger has apologised to one of the UK's best known politicians. In an uncharacteristic climbdown, Corporate Presenter blog author Jeremy Jacobs has retracted a statement in which he referred to George Galloway MP as 'anti-semitic'. In his apology Mr Jacobs, who originally hails from Margate but now blogs in North London, says:

I retract that statement entirely as it is untrue and unfounded. I apologise to Mr Galloway and accept that (he has) fought all types of racism all his political life.

Commenting on the move, another top Thanet blogger told the Gazunder: 'If a very well known politician like George Galloway, who is renowned for being fiercely protective of his reputation, can be satisfied with an apology from a blog, why are comparatively minor Thanet politicians going to all the trouble of a well-publicised witch hunt which has had the effect of closing down some of the most popular blogs on the island?' The blogger, who did not want to be named, added: 'I think we should be told'.

None of Thanet's comparatively minor politicians were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

Jeremy Jacobs' blog currently ranks 53,143rd in the world according to Technorati, the popular blog ranking site.

Click here for full text of Jeremy Jacobs apology