Censorship/freedom of speech

[loeylo]

This is just a general query about what people's opinions are on the matter, both in a political/religious sense (Charlie Hebdo springs to mind) and in a more general sense.

Personally I feel censorship is going too far and people are using "being offended" as an excuse to hush others. Whilst I appreciate some of the things being said are maybe offensive to one person, I don't think that should deny another their right to say it.

There has been so much censorship recently and I feel it is a worrying precedent - Celebrity Bog Brother, Charlie Hebdo, Rita Oras top etc. What are your views?

 

[Marie000]

I think people should be free to express themselves without being repressed (imprisoned, attacked, etc.). Absolutely.

BUT...

freedom of speech does not protect people from being criticized, boycotted, etc. Even if people have freedom of speech, nobody is obligated to listen to them or to give them a platform to express their views. For example, if I had a website (or newspaper, TV show, etc.), I think I should be allowed to ban trolls, or people who express racist / sexist / homophobic opinions. That, in my opinion, is not going against their freedom of speech. They are free to express their opinion elsewhere.

 

[Bex84]

Its a double edge sword. I believe in freedom of speech to extent that is how change happens but it comes with responsibilities. With our own freedom of speech it has to be understood that others have same right and unfortunately this could be used to incite hatred. I think a respect for others beliefs is important. I know people say in the case of the charlie hebdo magazine people say they made fun of all religion but to be honest when it comes to a persons belief its going to be like poking a bear with a stick. It was done knowing it would cause offence. However this can never condone what was done to retaliate by the few. Freedom of speech is a responsibility and shouldn't be used to create them and us but it is never an excuse to carry out acts of terrorism