Merseyrail axe Morrisey Posters

[Bertie the bus]

Morrissey hasn't lost his right to free speech. Has he been arrested and locked up?

No he hasn't been arrested or locked up which is why Merseyrail's actions are so distasteful and worrying. There are laws regarding what you can and can't say and presumably Morrissey hasn't broken any of them yet Merseyrail refuse to allow his posters for an album on their stations because they disagree with him.

When you consider that scummy Jihadi bride and her husband were given air time on the BBC and had many other publications scrambling to report on their disgusting thoughts and self-pity, to refuse to allow somebody to advertise a product because you don't agree with them is seriously misguided and a sad indictment on the state of this country.

 

[HotelNovember]

But it’s not the TOC who disagrees with it, (they have to remain impartial) it’s because a person has complained and naturally it’s been acted upon.

There’d be the same outrage if the complaint was brushed under the carpet, so I’m genuinely interested to know what the correct response would be?

Not only that it’s an external company responsible for the posters, of what goes up and what doesn’t go up. The TOC has obviously approached them to address the complaint.

 

[Bertie the bus]

But it’s not the TOC who disagrees with it, (they have to remain impartial) it’s because a person has complained and naturally it’s been acted upon.

That is complete nonsense. For a start no company "naturally" acts on one person's complaint. Especially when that one person told the BBC it wasn't even a complaint or a request for the posters to be taken down. Secondly, Merseyrail stated:

In a statement, Merseyrail said: "Any content used within advertising on the Merseyrail network does not reflect the organisation's values and we apologise for any offence the publication of these posters may have caused."

Which, together with the removal of the posters, in English means - you can't advertise on our stations if we disagree with what you say.

 

[HotelNovember]

So what was the point of the person who made the “complaint” mentioning it then, if that’s the case, if it wasn’t a complaint, I don’t understand what they expected?

 

[Mutant Lemming]

I bet he's delighted with the amount of exposure that the guy who was offended has given to his new album.

Depends on the kind of exposure - I know we're all kind of heading right wing as we get older but there is right wing and there is an off the edge. He seems to have been heading over that edge for some time What would be beneficial for all who care (whoever they may be) would be a statement outlining what he does and does not agree with.

 

[nw1]

I do like a fair bit of Smiths music, but having read some of the stuff here about organisations he's been involved with, and particularly defending the vile racist Yaxley-Lennon, my opinion of him has plummeted. I was aware he was a little on the right side of politics these days but not quite to this extent.

A someone else has said, the key thing is that Merseyrail, as the managers of the stations, are allowed to advertise - or not advertise - what they want, as are any business or any other entity who own or lease property.. as long as it stays within the law. If Merseyrail don't want to advertise Morrissey, it's their choice.

More generally, the far right (and I'm talking about Yaxley-Lennon and the like here, rather than Morrissey) do seem to play the victim an awful lot when people criticise them. Maybe they should simply refrain from promoting and spreading such hateful and potentially dangerous views. When did 'the left' last have real power? Sometime prior to 1979. In today's political landscape, with casual xenophobia and racism in mainstream politicians becoming increasingly tolerated by sections of the public, it's certainly not the left who are the threat to a modern, tolerant Britain.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

I do like a fair bit of Smiths music, but having read some of the stuff here about organisations he's been involved with, and particularly defending the vile racist Yaxley-Lennon, my opinion of him has plummeted. I was aware he was a little on the right side of politics these days but not quite to this extent.

A someone else has said, the key thing is that Merseyrail, as the managers of the stations, are allowed to advertise - or not advertise - what they want, as are any business or any other entity who own or lease property.. as long as it stays within the law. If Merseyrail don't want to advertise Morrissey, it's their choice.

More generally, the far right (and I'm talking about Yaxley-Lennon and the like here, rather than Morrissey) do seem to play the victim an awful lot when people criticise them. Maybe they should simply refrain from having such hateful and potentially dangerous views. When did 'the left' last have real power? Sometime prior to 1979. In today's political landscape, with casual xenophobia and racism in mainstream politicians becoming increasingly tolerated by sections of the public, it's certainly not the left who are the threat to a modern, tolerant Britain.

I do actually think we shouldn't really stop people making their statements/comments though - they should stand and fall on their own individual merits. We can all see how ludicrous a lot of them are and if we (or the majority) can't recognise that then banning/stopping the ideas only shoves them below the surface - it doesn't make them go away. Always better to see the strength of feeling towards a belief rather than just telling people they can't 'feel' or believe' what "we" think is wrong

 

[nw1]

I do actually think we shouldn't really stop people making their statements/comments though - they should stand and fall on their own individual merits. We can all see how ludicrous a lot of them are and if we (or the majority) can't recognise that then banning/stopping the ideas only shoves them below the surface - it doesn't make them go away. Always better to see the strength of feeling towards a belief rather than just telling people they can't 'feel' or believe' what "we" think is wrong

Maybe but I do feel that if people are allowed promote hate then you risk hate spreading through the population and it becomes mainstream.
I don't want to drift off into politics too much but it's a bit worrying that a potential PM of this country has made Islamophobic statements _and_ a lot of people have tolerated him for saying them, thinking the whole thing was a joke.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I bet he's delighted with the amount of exposure that the guy who was offended has given to his new album.

Well, I for one didn't know he had a new album out... that's by the by because he's done nothing of note since Suedehead, of course.

I don't agree with the views he espouses, but it won't stop me listening to The Queen Is Dead. He's also entitled to hold those views and to talk about them.

His job is to sell his music, advertising is one way to do this... but there has been a trend generally towards "Outrage Marketing" and this is a prime example. If nobody had complained about the adverts I wouldn't even know about his new LP.

Some young marketing execs are probably patting themselves on the back right now. Their plan worked perfectly.

First it was Pepsi, then McDonald's, then Gillette... and now Morrissey.

 

[Tracked]

No he hasn't been arrested or locked up which is why Merseyrail's actions are so distasteful and worrying. There are laws regarding what you can and can't say and presumably Morrissey hasn't broken any of them yet Merseyrail refuse to allow his posters for an album on their stations because they disagree with him.

When you consider that scummy Jihadi bride and her husband were given air time on the BBC and had many other publications scrambling to report on their disgusting thoughts and self-pity, to refuse to allow somebody to advertise a product because you don't agree with them is seriously misguided and a sad indictment on the state of this country.

Is that the BBC and other publications that regularly report on Morrissey and his disgusting thoughts and self-pity? Never mind, I'm sure when the Jihadi bride and her husband's next album's out Merseyrail will refuse to put posters up for it ...

 

[thenorthern]

Its a dangerous precedent banning an advert for a musician's music based on his political views, besides there are a lot of celebrities that have a questionable history and posters advertising them haven't been banned.

 

[fowler9]

Its a dangerous precedent banning an advert for a musician's music based on his political views, besides there are a lot of celebrities that have a questionable history and posters advertising them haven't been banned.

Not really, you can be arrested for wearing the t shirts of some of the bands I like. Merseyrail deciding not to advertise Morrissey is nothing .

 

[farleigh]

Lots of people disgusted by Morrissey.
What are his views?

 

[thenorthern]

One thing to remember is the album artwork itself is not offensive and from what I gather the lyrics to the album aren't offensive its simply someone doesn't agree with his views on a non-music issue and has made a complaint about it. Let's also remember Morrisey is known for making music primarily not politics.

It's important to remember that there is no right to be offended by something. As I say there are a lot of celebrities who have a colorful past and have done things or expressed views that are unpopular/controversial.

Lots of people disgusted by Morrissey.
What are his views?

He has expressed support from the "For Britain" political party which is a far-right anti-Islam political party.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Its a dangerous precedent banning an advert for a musician's music based on his political views, besides there are a lot of celebrities that have a questionable history and posters advertising them haven't been banned.

Agreed.

I'm just going to point out that this is causing the Streisand Effect. My dad (who is into that sort of music) didn't know Morrisey had a new album out (nor did I) but he did when Merseyrail said they're removing the posters. So all the people who are happy with their removal because they don't like the guy, are actually helping him promote his new album. Sometimes, your biggest critics who hate your guts, can be your best of friends at times.

 

[jon0844]

I know about his album now but I'm not buying it. However, outrage marketing is a thing and who knows if this was all well planned, with the person raising the issue with Merseyrail was working for the marketing agency.

 

[fowler9]

Can anyone explain to me why Merseyrail have to advertise Morrissey? There are thousands of other albums they don't advertise. I note they never advertised The Satanist or I Loved You At Your Darkest by Behemoth. They never advertised The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh by Cradle Of Filth. They never advertised Butchered At Birth by Cannibal Corpse (They were in the film Ace Ventura Pet Detective, surely they should have got a plug).

Why are so many people offended an aging racist isn't being advertised by Merseyrail? They haven't banned the album from being released. I'm not gutted they don't advertise Gorgoroth. No one has stopped him saying what he wants.

it just seems lots of people are gutted it's not acceptable to be a racist any more.

 

[farleigh]

Can anyone explain to me why Merseyrail have to advertise Morrissey? There are thousands of other albums they don't advertise. I note they never advertised The Satanist or I Loved You At Your Darkest by Behemoth. They never advertised The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh by Cradle Of Filth. They never advertised Butchered At Birth by Cannibal Corpse (They were in the film Dumb and Dumber, surely they should have got a plug).

Why are so many people offended an aging racist isn't being advertised by Merseyrail? They haven't banned the album from being released. I'm not gutted they don't advertise Gorgoroth. No one has stopped him saying what he wants.

it just seems lots of people are gutted it's not acceptable to be a racist any more.

I think that you have missed the point rather spectacularly. I don't think anybody has said it is a shame that you cannot be racist (unless I missed that post).

The interesting debate seemed to be (to me) whether people agree with removing advertising on the strength of one tweet.

 

[thenorthern]

Can anyone explain to me why Merseyrail have to advertise Morrissey? There are thousands of other albums they don't advertise. I note they never advertised The Satanist or I Loved You At Your Darkest by Behemoth. They never advertised The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh by Cradle Of Filth. They never advertised Butchered At Birth by Cannibal Corpse (They were in the film Dumb and Dumber, surely they should have got a plug).

They don't have to advertise his album however his record label have paid MerseyRail to advertise his new album.

 

[fowler9]

They don't have to advertise his album however his record label have paid MerseyRail to advertise his new album.

Well I'm sure they can claim that back.

 

[fowler9]

I think that you have missed the point rather spectacularly. I don't think anybody has said it is a shame that you cannot be racist (unless I missed that post).

The interesting debate seemed to be (to me) whether people agree with removing advertising on the strength of one tweet.

I've missed the point spectacularly? Really? People saying Merseyrail deciding not to advertise Morrissey is inhibiting freedom of speech and I am missing the point? Go back and read what I've said. All of it, not selected bits.

 

[PHILIPE]

The unfortunate thing that emerges here is that it seems to be one way. The Left wing also promote odious things some just as bad as the odious things that come from the Right but it is the Right Wing propaganda that gets the criticism.

 

[fowler9]

The unfortunate thing that emerges here is that it seems to be one way. The Left wing also promote odious things some just as bad as the odious things that come from the Right but it is the Right Wing propaganda that gets the criticism.

Mate they never advertised the bands I like in the first place and I'm a lefty. You're annoyed that a train company will no longer advertise an album by a known racist. Try and justify that. Why should they have to?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I know about his album now but I'm not buying it. However, outrage marketing is a thing and who knows if this was all well planned, with the person raising the issue with Merseyrail was working for the marketing agency.

It wouldn't be the first time...

 

[farleigh]

I've missed the point spectacularly? Really? People saying Merseyrail deciding not to advertise Morrissey is inhibiting freedom of speech and I am missing the point? Go back and read what I've said. All of it, not selected bits.

Of course:

Can anyone explain to me why Merseyrail have to advertise Morrissey?
They don't but they chose to.
There are thousands of other albums they don't advertise. I note they never advertised The Satanist or I Loved You At Your Darkest by Behemoth. They never advertised The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh by Cradle Of Filth. They never advertised Butchered At Birth by Cannibal Corpse (They were in the film Dumb and Dumber, surely they should have got a plug).
They never paid for advertisements

Why are so many people offended an aging racist isn't being advertised by Merseyrail?
I don't recall anybody saying they were offended. Feel free to post a racist quote from Morrissey to strengthen your point.
They haven't banned the album from being released. I'm not gutted they don't advertise Gorgoroth. No one has stopped him saying what he wants.
it just seems lots of people are gutted it's not acceptable to be a racist any more.
Nobody said they were gutted that it is not acceptable to be a racist - please feel free to point to the post that did if I have missed it.

 

[HotelNovember]

Can anyone explain to me why Merseyrail have to advertise Morrissey? There are thousands of other albums they don't advertise. I note they never advertised The Satanist or I Loved You At Your Darkest by Behemoth. They never advertised The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh by Cradle Of Filth. They never advertised Butchered At Birth by Cannibal Corpse (They were in the film Ace Ventura Pet Detective, surely they should have got a plug).

Why are so many people offended an aging racist isn't being advertised by Merseyrail? They haven't banned the album from being released. I'm not gutted they don't advertise Gorgoroth. No one has stopped him saying what he wants.

it just seems lots of people are gutted it's not acceptable to be a racist any more.

And again it’s not the TOC who has chosen to advertise in the first place, the posters are sent out by an external company on a rotation presumably - such as ClearChannel, like those that appear on the London Underground. Also the ClearChannel or whoever would own the poster frames, so I’d imagine ultimately, there actually the ones who had the final say, on what goes up and what comes down.

 

[CentralTrainer]

Some people on here showing their true colours somewhat.

I’d be looking to buy new masks on Tuesday - your current ones are slipping badly.

 

[Matt_pool]

Depends on the kind of exposure - I know we're all kind of heading right wing as we get older but there is right wing and there is an off the edge. He seems to have been heading over that edge for some time What would be beneficial for all who care (whoever they may be) would be a statement outlining what he does and does not agree with.

Speak for yourself!

 

[fowler9]

Of course:

Can anyone explain to me why Merseyrail have to advertise Morrissey?
They don't but they chose to.
There are thousands of other albums they don't advertise. I note they never advertised The Satanist or I Loved You At Your Darkest by Behemoth. They never advertised The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh by Cradle Of Filth. They never advertised Butchered At Birth by Cannibal Corpse (They were in the film Dumb and Dumber, surely they should have got a plug).
They never paid for advertisements

Why are so many people offended an aging racist isn't being advertised by Merseyrail?
I don't recall anybody saying they were offended. Feel free to post a racist quote from Morrissey to strengthen your point.
They haven't banned the album from being released. I'm not gutted they don't advertise Gorgoroth. No one has stopped him saying what he wants.
it just seems lots of people are gutted it's not acceptable to be a racist any more.
Nobody said they were gutted that it is not acceptable to be a racist - please feel free to point to the post that did if I have missed it.

What exactly are you so bothered about? Why does Morrissey have to be advertised? Why is this even news? No one is preventing freedom of speach.

 

[fowler9]

And again it’s not the TOC who has chosen to advertise in the first place, the posters are sent out by an external company on a rotation presumably - such as ClearChannel, like those that appear on the London Underground. Also the ClearChannel or whoever would own the poster frames, so I’d imagine ultimately, there actually the ones who had the final say, on what goes up and what comes down.

Well I'm sure they can get their money back from where they sent it.