The broadcasting watchdog-turned online sheriff Ofcom has declared it has “sovereign immunity” from a lawsuit filed by US-based site 4chan, after the site sued the regulator for violating its First Amendment protections. It is the latest in a free speech clash sparked by (what else?) the Online Safety Act, which Ofcom used to fine 4chan £20,000 earlier this year. A fine 4chan is refusing to pay…
In response to 4chan’s latest counterattack, Ofcom filed a notice in federal court in DC:
“Ofcom is a UK public regulatory authority and has substantial grounds for seeking dismissal of this lawsuit based on sovereign immunity.”
4chan’s lawyers argue that since Ofcom operates as a “commercial enterprise” , it should not benefit from sovereign immunity. Ofcom, meanwhile, still insists 4chan is not protected by the First Amendment and is demanding the cash. It’s all out war…
Burnham confirms he spoke to Trump last night about drilling in the North Sea:
“I indicated in the phone call that we had a week last Monday that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here. There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can’t ignore that. Hence, me indicating that to the president…”