I’m a bit late, but would like to register my support for Tim Ireland, the author of Bloggerheads. His blog has been forced offline because he had the temerity to write some things that were displeasing to a certain ex-convict from Uzbekistan.
Very worrying. Tim hadn’t written anything libellous, but Alisher Usmanov (the aforementioned Uzbek) is a really touchy fellow with a lot of money. Following dark threats from his lawyers, Tim’s webhosts panicked and pulled the plug on his blog, and for good measure, also took down a few other blogs that were being managed by Tim.
This is truly disconcerting. As Mr Eugenides very splendidly put it:
If you can be silenced for calling a businessman a crook, then you can be silenced for calling a politician a crook, too. Then it’s everyone’s problem.
Tim should be back online soon, no doubt with a hosting company with proper backbone. Looking forward to the return of Bloggerheads.
For more details on this story, check out Chicken Yoghurt.
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:53 pm
If they choose to fight this, al la McLibel, Usmanov and his lawyers would not have a leg to stand on. It has already been established that such law suits are a breech of human rights.
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
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September 23rd, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Well done, Bel. I couldn’t believe this was happening in Britain when I first read about it!
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:53 pm
the solution appears to be hosted in the USA as our American friends are less likely to give a toss about a letter from Shillings.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:43 am
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September 24th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Thanks everyone…
Well, I’m back! At the moment it would appear Boris, Tim, Craig and Clive are still down, but I know Clive has been working like a trooper since Thursday to back up all the blog files and move them to……
September 24th, 2007 at 10:58 am
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September 24th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
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September 24th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
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September 24th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
[...] Mediocracy, Sicily Scene, Samizdata, I blog, they blog, weblog, Colcam, Some Random Thoughts, Bel is thinking, Vino S, Simply Jews, Atlantic Free Press, Registan, Filasteen, Britblog Roundup #136, Scientific [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
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September 26th, 2007 at 8:28 am
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September 26th, 2007 at 8:28 am
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September 26th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
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September 28th, 2007 at 10:09 am
An updated list……
The list of bloggers highlighting the behaviour of Usmanov, Schillings and Fasthosts now stands at over 300. Justin points out that some people are apologising for coming late to the party on this one - well don’t. As he says,……
September 30th, 2007 at 7:13 am
This one to Blogpower Roundup, Bel.
October 13th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
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