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Gareth Cliff
08/06/2007 09:21
Hear Hear!! - Stephen |
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Watermelons
08/06/2007 09:28
leave him alone, if you told me that your watermelons were stolen, I would also laugh. All we South Aricans have left is our sense of humour!! - Lizanne |
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Freedom of speech
08/06/2007 09:33
I think we should all be given the freedom to express ourselves, but it should be limited to people who have the mental capacity to know that one can not make fun of someone's beliefs or race. Gareth Cliff should not be given any chance to say anything, to anyone, ever. Does he think he is Howard Stern? His racial comments belong on e-tv news with the rest of them. - Markie |
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There are boundaries
08/06/2007 09:35
Sure, freedon of speech is important, but there are lines that should never be crossed. Ridiculing a desperately poor man because he was robbed of his livelihood (which just happened to be watermelons) is not freedom of speech, its just down right poor taste. - Reena |
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I just wonder....
08/06/2007 09:37
Why does this "Freedom of speech" thing become non-existant the second a white person makes any remark about a black person in this country (racist or not)? Then all of a sudden all these people running around shouting "Viva Freedom of Speech Viva" suddenly and conveniently stop believing in freedom of speech. - J.O |
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Gareth Cliff
08/06/2007 09:41
I agree totally!! We spend way to much time on petty things. He didnt insult anyone he just laughed.. We need to wake up!! - Kerry |
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Nope, you are wrong
08/06/2007 09:43
Colleen, the way I understand it, mr Cliff went completely over the top and played the sound clip at least 3 times. With freedom of speech comes responsibility. There was absolutely no point to really rub in this guy's misery.
For you to defend him merely on the grounds of freedom of speech tells me that you haven't followed this case at all. Nah, he does need to apologise and maybe even be sent to Thinking School. - niels |
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If Only - The Hansons
08/06/2007 09:47
Colleen I saw a shooting star last night and I made wish that there were more progressive people and forward thinkers out there. Imagine my delight when I saw your column. My wish came true. Thank you :) - MP3 |
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The GC catastrophe.
08/06/2007 09:59
Anyone who doesn't like what is being said on a particular radio station has the right to turn it off. Sitting around complaining about something that should have been forgotton 30 seconds after it happened is a waste of time. - Frank |
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Gareth
08/06/2007 10:05
Firstly who actually HEARD the incident that is being referred to? I did and WAS appalled!I'm NOT anti freedom of speech but target politicians and people who are IN the limelight dont go after people who are struggling to make ends meet. And for the record it was NEVER even mentioned at the time that it was watermelons that were stolen! That has only surfaced in the last few days-so he didnt even KNOW it was watermelons when he laughed at the poor man. I'm sorry but i think its uncalled for. - Anna |
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Gareth Cliff
08/06/2007 10:06
Maybe it's laughter we should ban. - RJ |
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Why only speak on behalf of a white DJ?
08/06/2007 10:07
What about other black DJs who were also suspended by Metro or only white peoples rights' can be infringed ans all others have no rights and therefore need no one to speak for them.Why are you being selective? - Mdu |
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WHAT IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
08/06/2007 10:09
We need true freedom of speech, i.e every person should have the right to be heard. Wasn't it David Bullard that proposed that blogging should be banned? Gareth Cliff can say what he wants but he is a coward if he hides behind his one directional microphone. We are now using our freedom of speech to fry him! What happened to the "right to life" and "the right to our property"! Strictly speaking, you are right Colleen Figg, but you are also insensitive to the immense daily pain of crime! - Christiaan |
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Even freedom of speech has limitaions
08/06/2007 10:09
Making fun of people is fine but surely there must be a line drawn. A few months ago a radio DJ in US was also suspended for calling an African American basket ball team "Nappyheaded hos". Gareth has every right to make fun of what ever he feels is funny but doing it live on a family radio station with half the country going to work listening with kids listening in cars.. what kind of example is he setting.. Next time he'll think twice before 'crossing' that line again. - Mjavas |
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Gareth Cliff
08/06/2007 10:10
A joke at the expense of someone else is NEVER funny. - Marco |
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Freedom to laugh
08/06/2007 10:12
Freedom of speech is a very important part of our constitution. I don't think there's ever a need to silence somone merely because you disagree with what they're saying. That way lies madness.
As well as that, if we don't laugh, what will we do? We're continually told to look on the bright side of life and then reprimanded for it. It simply makes no sense!
People need to think more like Terry Gilliam et al. Imagine if the pythons had made a joke about this. Would they have been censored? No! - Rob |
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Gareff
08/06/2007 10:13
Let me start by saying maybe it was a bit "over the top". But so what? The whole of Gareth's show borders on the edge for many people. And thats why we listen to him. He has a good sense of humour.If we were to complain everytime he "offended" someone or "touched a nerve" we would be writing e-mails every day from 6 - 9. - Simon |
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gc
08/06/2007 10:14
From your article I get the feeling you don't listen to his show very often. If you took the time to listen to him every morning, you will realize that ripping people off and making fun is part of gareth's genetic makeup. He knows no better. At least twice in his show every morning he has something to say about someone. Is this freedom of speech, or abusing your status just cause you have a job on the radio??? - radiohead |
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This is not freedom of speech, it's spitefulness.
08/06/2007 10:14
So Colleen, if you had something of yours stolen that was of a really high value, and you were heartbroken to the point of tears while being interviewed about the stolen object/objects...along comes a Radio DJ to make fun of your misery, not once but three times...would YOU still consider that freedom of speech? I highly doubt that. Laughing at someone's misery is not freedom of speech, it's just plain old meanness. - Sasha |
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Cliff Hanger
08/06/2007 10:21
I think a column dedicated to defending Cliff for his insensitivity, may also be an overreaction. Cliff is not fighting for freedom of expression. He is simply a young man using controversy as a vehicle to celebrity. In his case it pays to push the envelope. Please remember it is not a private station, it is not even a major station, they need publicity to drive listenership i.e. Highveld has a larger audience as a Regional than 5 has as an National.... - Dawie |
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Have an opinion
08/06/2007 10:22
Freedom of speech, making a joke, talking around the Braai! This is what life is all about! Who can honestly say that we have never cracked a joke the expense of someone else? Gareth has been the target of so many, but does anyone remember his predecessor? I agree that sometimes people (and I am including everyone here) can go a little over the top - but really! The Truth (note the capital T) is that Colleen is right! Get over yourselves! - Annie |
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freedom of expression to the people (not to gc)
08/06/2007 10:29
Gareth Cliff is free to say what he wants. However, the people of South Africa should also be free to react if thy disagree. If the people do not want to hear those kind of comments, why allow him to continue to utter them. Them silencing him is not a violation of his right to freedom of speach - it is merely us not wanting to listen him. - Frank |
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Same old South African story
08/06/2007 10:35
I dont like Cliff but this has clearly demonstrated that South Africans believe in freedom of speech but only when it's something they agree with.
Same principle as with that ridiculous old flag drama last year. - Johno |
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the fine line
08/06/2007 10:36
There is a fine line between freedom of speech and stereotyping. Its one thing having your say but it takes a well brought up individual to know when you are saying something that can hurt someone else. I am a proud Afrikaans speaking person and feel that you Gareth Cliff don?t have any id?who I am and stereotyping me well that is just wrong. I am not a touchy person. Most people think of me as one of the greatest Afrikaans speaking individuals they have ever met. The sad part is I have met you twice in real life and never you came forward as someone that had a problem with me or where I come from why now? Ek is trots op wie ek is en dit is n Afrikaner - Laurienne van Jaarsveld |
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freedom of speech
08/06/2007 10:36
In general i really like you columns, but today I have to disagree on this one. So insulting someone on air is freedom of speech, right? Complaining about it is not? Scientific principle. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. - Peter |
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Mdu you really are pathetic
08/06/2007 10:38
I read these columns every day and every day there is always one person who has to push the race issue. Colleen is talking about this because it is currently top of the news, not because she is selecting a white DJ over a black one. Get over your issues and post a comment that is relevant MDU - Sick of it |
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Gareth
08/06/2007 10:42
If you find what garteh has to say offence the best thing you can do is turn to another station that way his listners decline and so would his advertising revenue. Other than that let me listen to him in peace with out him been yanked off air because some over sensitve person has decieded because he was offended than everyone should suffer. Grow up and turn off if need be but stop complaining - Matt |
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Gareth Cliff
08/06/2007 10:46
Freedom of speech includes the right to say offensive, repulsive, spiteful and distasteful things. Thats the whole point! - Wonderer |
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colleen figg
08/06/2007 10:54
someone at 5fm commented about gareth's girlfriend and he was suspended. Was that not freedom of speech? If Gareth made a joke about you or your immediate family would you be writing the trash you just wrote? Just a question. - realist |
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Overly sensitive
08/06/2007 10:57
All this Political Correctness is over the top. I'm actually waiting for the day where a DJ is slapped on the wrist for saying "good morning", and a listener was NOT having a good morning and therefore complained. There are over 6 billion people in the world. It is NOT POSSIBLE to be sensitive to absolutely every single one's feelings. Everyone should get a reality check and stop thinking that everything is about them! Honestly! - Lenore |
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