Freedom of the press, a freedom we could do without

[Beirut]

That's a serious accusation - from what you're saying I'd assume it was red tape, at most apathy (wich is pretty bad) from the administration that caused their action - direct intent to kill off part of the populace? Maybe you were just being cynical, but I'm not surprised that the council takes offence.

Black humour, if you want to call it that. It's my calling card. I have zero sympathy for those in power who abuse said power and forget their responsibilities to the ordinary people. They get the pen full thrust.

However if the journalist is reporting a story and is claiming that its an accurate report - I expect it to include as much information as the journalist can gather, for it to be organized into data that is confirmed, and what data is speculation or non-confirmed information.

Agreed.

I don't pass myself off as a reporter, only a writer. When I do play reporter, not often, I play by the rules.

Dissent without valid reason is not dissent, its just mob reaction to foolish claims of foolish people, which foolish reports contribute to by feeding into the hysteria versus reporting the facts and the truth.

Your statement here contradicts itself to the point of having no meaning. Dissent should be based upon what actions the government has done or not done.

I don't agree.

We're not discussing Elvis sightings and UFO landings, we're discussing serious social issues. In that case, the writer must accept that people will take it seriously and those who do not agree with his opinion will scrutinize and criticize his work seriously. So unless the writer is a total hack, in which case no one will take him seriously, he is taking some effort to present the legitimate thoughts of a section of society. Those people are allowed their public representation. If that goes against the party line or conventional wisdom, so be it.

Freedom of expression is a duty (thank you Kukri) and a responsibility. If the writer is willing to be held responsible for what he writes, then he should be allowed to write it. Even if it says Elvis landed in a UFO.