Over the last two days, I have listened to Ray Hadley rant about postings made on Facebook by Ben Dignam about a fallen NSW Police Officer. While I absolutely do not support the comments made by Dignam, I support him being able to express his opinion.
Ray Hadley on the other hand doesn’t support Dignam’s right to express an opinion given that he is calling on Dignam to be charged for “inciting hatred against Police” or for using a carriage service to “menace, harass or offend.”
Fortunately for Dignam, as far as I am aware there is no such offence as “inciting hatred against Police” in Australia. There are similar words used in various anti-discrimination acts used to describe vilification (such as that faced by Andrew Bolt some time ago), but these only apply to racial and homosexual discrimination.
As for using the offence of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend – Dignam’s comments about the officer, while abhorrent and maybe offensive were certainly not menacing or harassing. They were not directed at a particular person, but instead against Police generally. There was no implicit threat, just a statement about how he felt. Courts have been reluctant to convict someone for using a carriage service offensively and it is likely that any charges wouldn’t stick.
Hadley should also ensure that he knows what he is talking about before he broadcasts it to the public at large. Yesterday, he said that the NSW Police couldn’t take action against Dignam but called on the federal police to do so. This is entirely correct. NSW Police can and do charge people for offences under federal legislation and for a sitiuation such as this, they would be the appropriate authority to take action.
Hadley should also be rebuffed for his “bully boy” tactics towards Dignam’s mother – which could be described as menacing. Screaming down a telephone in an abusive manner would most certainly met the definition of menacing, but then again when it brings in the cash nobody is going to stand in his way.
Finally, when Dignam came on air today to apologise to the slain officer’s family, Hadley cut him off when he attempted to explain his own run in with Thirroul/Wollongong Police. Hadley might like to think that all of the 14,000 serving officers in this state are clean, but I hate to tell him there are a small minority which are not.
I in no way condone what my son wrote it was appalling. But if someone ever really listened to what happened in 2005 they would have a better understanding of why he feels the way he does. We did bring him up to respect the law !!!
Ray Hadley and most of his listeners condemned my son and myself yet they know nothing about us. My son is not perfect but I would not swap him for the world he is the most loving caring person with the biggest heart, nothing like the scum he is portayed as. The important thing is the people that really know us have done nothing but support us.
I really just wanted to say Thankyou for your open minded opinion and I just pray Hadley and the police leave him alone and let him get on with his life. I do believe in Karma.
Liz Dignam
Thanks for your comment.
Unfortunately the Hadleys of this world have a closed mind about things. Hadley would have us believe that all 14,000 officers in NSW are clean and deserve no criticism. If that were the case there wouldn’t be a Police Integrity Commission or ICAC.
While I disapprove of what Ben posted, I support and defend his right to say it. Even though Australia does not have a right to Freedom of Speech, it should have and we should all be free to express our opinions. To have someone like Hadley calling for charges to be laid will only chill free expression.
I also would first of all like to express my appreciation to anyone who was open minded enough to see that there may be 2 sides to this story. Soon after I made the comment that mr Hadley was referring to , I made a public apology “also on Facebook” that contained apologies to anyone who took offence to my un necessary comments , and explained that I was “very wrong ” I did so on my own accord ” this was one of the only Facebook activities that mr Hadley failed to mention on the radio !! I’d also like to add that in that same year I was accused and convicted of the assault on the “victim” I moved back into my mothers home to avoid risk of exposure to the police force , on one occasion I had 2 cars (not police marked) one pull out on the north side of sea cliff bridge , in front of my car , and the other followed behind , they made an attempt to bring my car to a stop but I managed to avoid them .
On Another occasion a car pulled out from the same location at the same time as I drove home from work at 1 am , he tail gated me so closely I became suspicious , and in an attempt to lose him drove around town as he followed close behind , when they became aware of my suspicions they attempted to pull me over with a fake dash mounted police light , I was forced to speed to avoid them till they eventually gave up.
On another occasion I was followed home from work once again where after I went inside I woke my mother and informed her we could be in danger , my mother and I then laid on the second story lounge room floor of her property and watched in fear as 4 men armed with bats walked up the driveway and looked through the sliding doors at the rear of the house and soon left as my mothers property is multi leveled and they were unsure of my location.
Some time later I was informed of a contract that had been taken out on me, I was informed of this by an acting police officer.
I also recieved a phone call from ray Hadley 2 days prior to the broadcast in witch he said “karma is going to get you you fuckwit”
These events along with others including constant fines,vehicle defects , and most recently my mother was threatened with retaliation of motorcycle clubs by an individual whom I can not name for legal reasons”only including the ones that led up to my unnecessary Facebook comments that I deeply regretted and still do, all led to my stupid remark , I also spoke to ray Hadley prior to the live broadcast and pleaded with him to let the situation rest as I was suffering with deep depression over these events at the time of the post and still am , he then told me to show some guts and came on his show !!!
After this situation I deleted my facebook profile for some time , but since I reactivated it I recieve insults and harassment from ray Hadley listeners .
I realize that by this comment I am jeopardizing my life and am already planning to leave the state due to the risk of retaliation and ongoing discrimination from ray Hadley listeners but am willing to take the matter further , if anyone thinks they can help me legally I would appreciate to hear from you and once again thanks to anyone who seen me as more than just the “grub” Hadley pertrayed me as , words could not explain my appreciation ….
And sorry for spelling and punctuation I’m on my phone!!!
With kind thanks Ben ………..