No further action against government adviser's wife over Palestine Action post, police say
Published
What's this about?
Sarah Helm, who is married to Jonathan Powell, was responding to a discussion about the author Sally Rooney.
The one-panel cartoon
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A bookshelf-lined study with a wooden desk cluttered with books, a laptop, and a framed photo of Jonathan Powell and Sarah Helm, with Sarah typing on her laptop.
Caption: When literary debates turn geopolitical, just keep writing.
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on bbc.co.uk.
Editor's note
The decision not to pursue further action against Sarah Helm for her social media post raises concerns about the consistency and fairness of how online speech is regulated. It's crucial to ensure that all voices are held to the same standard to prevent a chilling effect on free speech and protect the integrity of public discourse.
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Panel 1
(a) The subject of the story is Sarah Helm, a government adviser’s wife, who posted a controversial comment on social media. The story revolves around the lack of action taken by the police regarding her social media post, which was related to a discussion about author Sally Rooney. (b) The real irony or absurdity is that while Sarah Helm’s post was flagged as potentially illegal content related to incitement, no further action was taken against her. This is ironic because it highlights the discrepancy in how social media regulations are enforced and the power dynamics involved. (c) The highlight is a witty observation that underscores the absurdity of the situation:
Narrator: It's like the police are more interested in protecting the powerful than enforcing the law.
Panel 2
*Setting: Sarah Helm’s living room. She is sitting on a cozy couch, scrolling through her phone, looking contemplative. Her laptop is open on the coffee table with a news article about Sally Rooney open on the screen. Books and magazines about literature and politics are scattered around.* Sarah Helm (to herself, shaking her head)
Sarah Helm: I didn't mean to cause trouble, but here we are...
Panel 3
*Setting: Sarah is now in a small, cluttered study, surrounded by bookshelves and legal papers. She is talking to a friend on the phone, looking slightly worried but also defiant.* Sarah Helm (to friend)
Sarah Helm: They’re saying my post was about incitement, but they’re not doing anything about it. It’s like the police are more interested in protecting the powerful than enforcing the law.
Panel 4
*Setting: Back in the living room, Sarah is on the phone with her friend again, but now she looks relieved and somewhat amused. She has a cup of tea in her hand and a book in the other, looking at her phone with a wry smile.* Sarah Helm (to friend) Friend (on phone) Sarah Helm (nodding)
Sarah Helm: I guess I’ll just have to be more careful with my words. But honestly, it’s kind of funny how things work up here.
Friend: You should write about it. It’s a good story.
Sarah Helm: Maybe you’re right. I think I’ll start a blog.
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