Freedom of speech is one of the foundations of democracy. Yet do we really know what that means? What is freedom of speech? when does it become an attack? And should we be held accountable?
Due to the recent turmoil in the Arab world I have been thinking about this issue. Freedom of speech has become a challenge to many governments; The internet has made everyone an ambassador to the nation they belong to. Anyone from nation X on YouTube,Twitter,Facebook...etc suddenly represents all people from that nation. Is this ignorant on the part of the people who blame everyone due to the actions of few? YES! However, that is the reality we live in.
So, the question is what can we do about freedom of speech and the internet? I believe that first freedom of speech should be defined. The "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights" defines it as:
Due to the recent turmoil in the Arab world I have been thinking about this issue. Freedom of speech has become a challenge to many governments; The internet has made everyone an ambassador to the nation they belong to. Anyone from nation X on YouTube,Twitter,Facebook...etc suddenly represents all people from that nation. Is this ignorant on the part of the people who blame everyone due to the actions of few? YES! However, that is the reality we live in.
So, the question is what can we do about freedom of speech and the internet? I believe that first freedom of speech should be defined. The "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights" defines it as:
Article 19
1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.
2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.
3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.
Note the highlighted lines. This is the part that has been forgotten by many people who zealously fight for freedom of speech.
Based on this I believe that freedom of speech is not the problem. The problem is that governments have not properly explained it. The abuse of this freedom should be punishable by law. We teach our children that "sticks and stones may brake your bones, but names will never hurt you", however, this is just not true. People will retaliate when provoked. The educated will make an educated retaliation and the not so educated will make a not so educated retaliation.
Therefore, I believe that once someone publicly disrespects an entire faith (like the cartons of Prophet Mohammed -Peace be upon him-, or the burning of the Qur'an) This person has committed a crime. They are causing intentional chaos among the citizens of another nation. Which as we have seen can lead to catastrophic results. Governments world wide have banned together to stop illegal distribution of Music, Movies, and software (torrents). They protect their money, yet they do nothing to protect the rights of the people offended. Why is that?
Based on this I believe that freedom of speech is not the problem. The problem is that governments have not properly explained it. The abuse of this freedom should be punishable by law. We teach our children that "sticks and stones may brake your bones, but names will never hurt you", however, this is just not true. People will retaliate when provoked. The educated will make an educated retaliation and the not so educated will make a not so educated retaliation.
Therefore, I believe that once someone publicly disrespects an entire faith (like the cartons of Prophet Mohammed -Peace be upon him-, or the burning of the Qur'an) This person has committed a crime. They are causing intentional chaos among the citizens of another nation. Which as we have seen can lead to catastrophic results. Governments world wide have banned together to stop illegal distribution of Music, Movies, and software (torrents). They protect their money, yet they do nothing to protect the rights of the people offended. Why is that?
