Bonkers was not always primarily a daily blog. Whilst blogs
were published almost daily from 2011 the website was formatted more like a
newspaper with an occasionally updated Front Page and Editorial,
the blog itself was buried within the site.
This is an example of an Editorial page written long before Smart Phones were a
consideration. Many of them will be difficult to read on a mobile phone and links may no longer work
and references to site banners will be invalid.
It remains here for historical purposes only.
According to Kent Police reporting any item of news which might make its
subject feel uncomfortable is a potentially criminal act and leaves its author
“liable to arrest and a night in the cells”.
It matters not whether the news reported is entirely factual. It matters not if
the news reported is already in the public domain, neither is the inclusion of
documentary evidence to support the news a mitigating factor.
Whether or not the news item is augmented by an opinion piece is of no
consequence, news that is negative in any way can according to Kent Police be criminal.
The only relevant factor according to Kent Police is whether or not the truth
hurts. If it does they have their victim, the writer of the piece.
Many people will be very relieved to be protected by a police force as stupid as
Kent Police appears to be.
At the highest level former Cabinet Member Damian Green can initiate complaints
against every national news outlet for reporting the claims of a vengeful
retired police officer that a computer used by the Deputy Prime Minister
contained images of a pornographic nature.
At the other extreme, every litter lout named and shamed by Bexley Council on
its website can ask the police to take action against the Council officer who
authorised the publication of their personal details. Those who live in the
Swanley police district will find a ready ear attached to PC Brooks (13546).
They will find her willing to listen to each and every complaint, whether it has
merit or none and leap into action. According to her everyone who is hurt when
their name becomes news has a legitimate complaint and the full force of the law
must swing into action.
You may think that Kent Police is just a bad joke but while attitudes like
theirs prevail no journalist is safe. Only wholly good news can be reported
without threat of arrest.
While that situation prevails this blog cannot continue.
This is an archived copy of the Site’s Editorial page originally posted on 31st December 2017.