There is a difference between people that are exposed to the public, like politicians, artists, business people on the one side and normal citizens on the other.
Limiting freedom of speech when it comes to the first group (at least regarding anything that is related to their public function) is *very* problematic.
Countries in which criticism or satire is followed by defamation lawsuits or even criminal investigations are prone to decend into dictatorship. Democracy cannot function without free speech. Civil rights cannot exist without free speech.
Personally, I’d rather live with insults than limiting someone’s right to free speech. Politicians who think otherwise should be voted out of office.
I think you’re confusing freedom of speech with politness and good manners.
One is the key mechanic that allows us to resolve matters without violence; the other is how we learn to behave well and respectfully to each other.
Also, I might actually make a twitter account now.
2 comments
There is a difference between people that are exposed to the public, like politicians, artists, business people on the one side and normal citizens on the other.
Limiting freedom of speech when it comes to the first group (at least regarding anything that is related to their public function) is *very* problematic.
Countries in which criticism or satire is followed by defamation lawsuits or even criminal investigations are prone to decend into dictatorship. Democracy cannot function without free speech. Civil rights cannot exist without free speech.
Personally, I’d rather live with insults than limiting someone’s right to free speech. Politicians who think otherwise should be voted out of office.
I think you’re confusing freedom of speech with politness and good manners.
One is the key mechanic that allows us to resolve matters without violence; the other is how we learn to behave well and respectfully to each other.
Also, I might actually make a twitter account now.