Freedom of speech – 8 January 2015
Freedom of speech
If we make exceptions to freedom of speech for example to ban offensive speech, then this is not freedom of speech. A kind of enclosure is created where there is a level of freedom but only to the edge of the enclosure.
Freedom of speech is an absolute and as such everyone has the right to it therefore those who are offended have the right to reply using their freedom of speech.
But isn’t that the point? That free speech leads to discussion which leads to understanding.
Because the offended also have freedom of speech then they are free to refute the offence, create discussion leading to resolution and understanding.
The wise use their free speech to discuss
Were the French Cartoonists who were expressing themselves provocatively, revealing too much of themselves, asking for it?
Rushdie “This issue has nothing to do with an oppressed and disadvantaged minority. It has everything to do with the battle against fanatical Islam, which is highly organised, well funded, and which seeks to terrify us all, Muslims as well as non Muslims, into a cowed silence.
Preventing speech – does it refute the offence
The point of freedom of speech is that everyone has it, therefore people with opposing views are free to converse fully, with nothing held back thus leading to resolution or understanding neither of which can be achieved through enclosure or silencing.
Long ago a very wise men said, “He who strikes the first blow admits he has lost the argument”
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