JK Rowling Clashes with Graham Norton and Billy Bragg Over 'Cancel Culture' Debate

[Social Media]

 

JK Rowling has fiercely criticized Graham Norton and musician Billy Bragg, accusing them of misogyny after they suggested that what many call "cancel culture" is actually just "accountability." The *Harry Potter* author, who has been the target of death threats and online harassment due to her views on gender and women’s rights, took particular issue with the idea that facing public backlash is simply a matter of being held responsible for one's words.  

 

During an appearance at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Norton, host of *The Graham Norton Show*, challenged the idea of "cancel culture," arguing that the term itself is misleading. Instead, he described it as a form of accountability, stating, "John Cleese has been very public recently about complaining about what you can’t say. It must be very hard to be a man of a certain age who’s been able to say whatever he likes for years, and now suddenly there’s some accountability." He added, "It’s free speech, but not consequence-free. I’m aware of the things I say."  

 

Cleese, an outspoken critic of cancel culture, has frequently decried what he sees as increasing restrictions on free expression. The 82-year-old comedy legend recently announced he would be joining GB News, a move he says will allow him to speak on issues that are being "censored." He remarked that if he were to host a BBC show, "I wouldn’t get five minutes into the first show before I’d been cancelled or censored."  

 

 

Rowling, whose controversial opinions on gender identity have led to heated debates and backlash, was quick to respond to Norton’s remarks. Taking to social media, she wrote, "Very much enjoying the recent spate of bearded men stepping confidently onto their soapboxes to define what a woman is and throw their support behind rape and death threats to those who dare disagree. You may mock, but it takes real bravery to come out as an Old Testament prophet."  

 

She later added, "I like beards. I just don't like them when they're attached to misogynists."  

 

Musician and activist Billy Bragg then entered the debate, defending Norton’s stance. He criticized Rowling’s response, arguing that her reaction only proved Norton’s point. "Hard to think of anything that better illustrates Graham Norton’s point than the sight of someone with 13.9 million followers reacting to a call for a fair hearing for trans teens and their parents by equating it to *checks notes* support for rape and death threats," Bragg posted.  

 

At the core of the dispute is the broader debate over cancel culture. Norton’s argument suggests that figures like Rowling and Cleese, who have vast platforms and millions of followers, are not truly being "canceled" in the traditional sense. Instead, he posits that they are simply experiencing pushback for their views. However, critics of this perspective argue that cancel culture goes beyond criticism—it actively seeks to remove people from public discourse and professional opportunities.  

 

The controversy underscores the growing divide in discussions around free speech, accountability, and the limits of debate in modern society. While some argue that public figures must face consequences for their words, others believe that cancel culture is a silencing tool that stifles genuine discussion. With high-profile figures like Rowling and Cleese continuing to challenge these ideas, the debate over where accountability ends and censorship begins shows no signs of fading.

 

Based on a report by Daily Express Scotland 2025-02-04

 

 

[Classic Ray]

I just watched an old movie called “The Front” on YouTube starting Woody Allen, which dealt with the evil nonsense called McCarthyism that blighted the careers of many in the media industry in the 1950s for supposed Communist leanings.

 

This debate on cancel culture exhibits many of the same traits.

[CygnusX1]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

"It’s free speech, but not consequence-free. I’m aware of the things I say."

Exactly. There was freedom of speech in Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Russia, and the consequence was that you were executed or sent to a Gulag. Not as bad in the West at the moment, you might just lose your job (eg google  ‘Israel Folau case’).

[JonnyF]

Other than Terry Christian, is there a more annoying leftist nutter than Billy Bragg?

 

Well done JK Rowling for sticking it to these hypocritical, censorious, misogynists. 

 

Their spiel is straight from the philosophy of Idi Amin.

 

 

 

[Purdey]

I would love to watch a series that allows comedians to make jokes about anything they want, then watch the ratings. 

[soalbundy]

Rowling and Cleese are simply islands of common sense in a world going slowly madder by the minute

[Baht Simpson]

Whatever your views on Rowling she's crossed a line there. Saying that Norton supports rape and death threats is potentially libelous. She's made the mistake of imagining that free speech allows wrongful personal attacks, something that she's always complained about herself. Laurence Fox for one found that out to his cost. But I imagine that Rowling is now too rich to sue.

[Chomper Higgot]

I wonder if it occurs to Rowling that her anti Transgender campaigning has negative impacts on people already subjected to abusive treatment by other transphobic bigots?!

 

Lend your voice to demonizing already vulnerable people and then complain about the FAAFO outcome.

 

….

Billy Bragg, legend!

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

Exactly. There was freedom of speech in Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Russia, and the consequence was that you were executed or sent to a Gulag. Not as bad in the West at the moment, you might just lose your job (eg google  ‘Israel Folau case’).

And we have a winner of the Godwin Gong.

[proton]

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I wonder if it occurs to Rowling that her anti Transgender campaigning has negative impacts on people already subjected to abusive treatment by other transphobic bigots?!

 

Lend your voice to demonizing already vulnerable people and then complain about the FAAFO outcome.

 

….

Billy Bragg, legend!

 

The old lie of trans getting abusive treatment, because others don't accept their derangement and pro noun nonsense, they are fantasists or mentally ill. Billy Bragg is a socialist toss pot. 

[OneMoreFarang]

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

Rowling, whose controversial opinions on gender identity have led to heated debates and backlash,

 

There is nothing controversial about her opinions. Men are men and women are women. And women don't want men in their bathrooms. What's controversial about that?

 

If some woke idiots don't understand this, that is their problem.

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, proton said:

 

The old lie of trans getting abusive treatment, because others don't accept their derangement and pro noun nonsense, they are fantasists or mentally ill. Billy Bragg is a socialist toss pot. 

Really?

 

Got any links? I have:

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-office-boris-johnson-jk-rowling-lgbt-england-b2196937.html

[OneMoreFarang]

16 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I wonder if it occurs to Rowling that her anti Transgender campaigning has negative impacts on people already subjected to abusive treatment by other transphobic bigots?!

 

As far as I know she accepts transgender people like they are. What she does not accept is that a transgender with a penis uses a women's restroom. I think that makes total sense. 

[Chomper Higgot]

4 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

As far as I know she accepts transgender people like they are. What she does not accept is that a transgender with a penis uses a women's restroom. I think that makes total sense. 

I understand they have individual cubicles.

[OneMoreFarang]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I understand they have individual cubicles.

 

As far as I know are women toilets something like meeting and chatting rooms. Often girls and women go in groups to the "toilet". And then, when they do their women things in that toilet, I understand that they don't want half a bloke with them.

[Kinnock]

Woke extremism is likely to create a far right backlash ..... as in US now and Germany, France, UK in the near future.

 

People with minority sexual orientations or religious beliefs no longer need special treatment, positive discrimination has run its course, give it a rest or we'll end up with Tommy as the UK PM.

[Bkk Brian]

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I understand they have individual cubicles.

You think that makes it ok for the females who feel  intimidated when there are trans genders sharing their restrooms? 

[proton]

19 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

As far as I know are women toilets something like meeting and chatting rooms. Often girls and women go in groups to the "toilet". And then, when they do their women things in that toilet, I understand that they don't want half a bloke with them.

 

 

Trigger warning needed for this one, nearly threw up

[Chomper Higgot]

47 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

As far as I know are women toilets something like meeting and chatting rooms. Often girls and women go in groups to the "toilet". And then, when they do their women things in that toilet, I understand that they don't want half a bloke with them.

I’ll demure to your experience in the matter.

 

Selfie?

 

 

[Centigrade32]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

If some woke idiots don't understand this, that is their problem.

 

I would say the real idiots are the ones that fell for the Far Right tactic of changing the meaning of words in order to attack their perceived enemies.

Woke means to 'be aware' and has nothing to do with LGBT nor the Left. People like yourself just spread the nastiness and stupidity. 

[Centigrade32]

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

Woke extremism is likely to create a far right backlash ..... as in US now and Germany, France, UK in the near future.

 

People with minority sexual orientations or religious beliefs no longer need special treatment, positive discrimination has run its course, give it a rest or we'll end up with Tommy as the UK PM.

 

There is no such thing as 'Woke extremism' It's just bastardisation from the Far Right and the idiots that have adopted it.

Example. When Russell Brand was going through his ordeal, those on the Right supported him. He moved to Rumble and at the end of one of his videos, he said "stay woke". So what do you think he was saying? Move to the Left?

 

Using the word 'woke' in a negative sense, is just a Far Right tactic to demonise certain sections of society by lumping them all together....even if they have nothing to do with each other. leading to a polarised society. That's why the halfwits here only see one side or the other. There's no nuance or middle ground. It's too much for their brains to handle.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’ll demure to your experience in the matter.

 

Selfie?

 

 

 

  Is that a man or a woman in the photo ?

[cdemundo]

3 hours ago, proton said:

 

The old lie of trans getting abusive treatment, because others don't accept their derangement and pro noun nonsense, they are fantasists or mentally ill. Billy Bragg is a socialist toss pot. 

"The old lie of trans getting abusive treatment"

 

Are you not aware of violence against trans people?

 

[proton]

Just now, cdemundo said:

"The old lie of trans getting abusive treatment"

 

Are you not aware of violence against trans people?

 

 

I am aware of them lying about it

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, proton said:

 

I am aware of them lying about it

Police data is available, so no excuse for your denials:

 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/623785/transgender-hate-crimes-in-england-and-wales-by-region/#statisticContainer

[cdemundo]

3 minutes ago, proton said:

 

I am aware of them lying about it

Google "violence against trans people" and you will see numerous articles "lying about it".

But as the saying goes, haters gonna hate.

[Centigrade32]

42 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   If you'd read the written content of his post , then you would have been aware that it quite probably wasn't him in the photo .

   You knew that and then tried to ridicule him by asking whether it was a selfie .

   Your gaffs are on par with Prince Phillips , he would also ridule hod carriers and transvestites and he didn't even realise he was doing it 

 

Yet another example of your off-topic pedantry?

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Centigrade32 said:

 

I would say the real idiots are the ones that fell for the Far Right tactic of changing the meaning of words in order to attack their perceived enemies.

Woke means to 'be aware' and has nothing to do with LGBT nor the Left. People like yourself just spread the nastiness and stupidity. 

Meaning of words change over time, if we want or not.

I.e. in old novels people are describes as "gay" when the have a good time.

 

Maybe try to see the world the way it is now and not the way you remember it from 10 years ago or imagine you want it to be.

[johnnybangkok]

All the usual old foggies getting their knickers in a twist about complete non -events like trans using women’s bathrooms. Firstly this is as rare as rocking horse $hit, excessively amplified by the right and their quest to make identity politics the main dividing line for us all. 
living in Bangkok I see ladyboys using women’s toilets ALL the time (it would be more weird to see them use the men’s) and not one single time have I ever seen a women complain about it  - so exactly what is the problem? Now if a 6ft brikkie walks in wearing nothing but lipstick then sure, it would be weird but again, what exactly is he going to do? Peer over the cubicles? Try and get a glimpse of a woman on the toilet? It’s just all exaggerated nonsense to get the gullible all worked up. 
And many of you are falling for it time and time again. 

[MicroB]

3 hours ago, proton said:

 

Billy Bragg

 

Good singer, cracking songs. I like singers who sing with their natural, unabashed voice. As for Wizard books written by a one hit wonder on the Dole; never read them, never will. Asked my teenage nephew what he thought of Harry Potter; zero interest in them and the films, as do all his mates, demonstrating she is no Charles Dickens (irony).n I don't care at all about the opinions of kids book writers, pop singers and comedians. Why should you? Maybe they should run for office.