What is free speech? does it even exist?

LighterGuy

There is definitely a line between something being your view and you being intolerant, racist, insensitive etc. But at what point does free speech stop and start?

Example off the top of my head, someone can say they do not like black people. Immediately they would be racist and saying any comment, no matter how they phrased it they would be seen as racist. But then, where does free speech come in?

there are so many examples that can be said too.

seamus

Free speech is the right to express your opinion without fear of punishment, incarceration or execution by your government.

It does not extend to things like issuing threats or discussing crimes committed or being planned.

Someone is perfectly entitled to say that they don't like black people. Nobody will stop them from saying it. They are entitled to write it on a billboard and drive it around the city. However, "I don't like black people" is not the same as "Black People are evil". The latter would be classified as incitement to hatred and rightly so. It's not a statement of opinion, it's a statement of (incorrect) fact. Free speech is not the right to say whatever you like.

Genghiz Cohen

/thread

LighterGuy

seamus wrote: »

Free speech is the right to express your opinion without fear of punishment, incarceration or execution by your government.

It does not extend to things like issuing threats or discussing crimes committed or being planned.

Someone is perfectly entitled to say that they don't like black people. Nobody will stop them from saying it. They are entitled to write it on a billboard and drive it around the city. However, "I don't like black people" is not the same as "Black People are evil". The latter would be classified as incitement to hatred and rightly so. It's not a statement of opinion, it's a statement of (incorrect) fact. Free speech is not the right to say whatever you like.

good post. but how come if someone said that line, they would be banned on here?

seamus

Just like that and with no other content? I don't think so. Though I couldn't see the thread lasting very long as thousands of posters clamoured to fire abuse at the guy who wrote "I don't like black people".

Aside, free speech doesn't apply on boards because boards.ie is not the government.

LighterGuy

seamus wrote: »

Just like that and with no other content? I don't think so. Though I couldn't see the thread lasting very long as thousands of posters clamoured to fire abuse at the guy who wrote "I don't like black people".

Aside, free speech doesn't apply on boards because boards.ie is not the government.

Aint that the truth :pac:

prinz

LighterGuy wrote: »

good post. but how come if someone said that line, they would be banned on here?

You operate on here in line with the rules and regulations laid down in the charters by those who own and run the site. Boards.ie is not public property.

Pauleta

We lost free speech when the blasphemy law came in

KeithM89_old

<snip>





:pac:

LighterGuy

prinz wrote: »

You operate on here in line with the rules and regulations laid down in the charters by those who own and run the site. Boards.ie is not public property.

Yes but isnt boards.ie a reflection of current society? :pac:

aidan_walsh

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/faq.php?faq=bie_faq

No freedom of speech.

This is a private website. There is no "right" to freedom of speech here. We, the Admins and moderators DO want to promote discussion but FREE un-moderated discussion online turns into a screaming match between children. We believe that rules of etiquette should be applied (see below). Shouting about how we have infringed your "freedom of speech" on a privately owned website is silly. You can use blogger.com to say what YOU like, what you aren’t entitled to is access to the community we have built here without abiding by the community's rules, as decided and enforced by us.

prinz

LighterGuy wrote: »

Yes but isnt boards.ie a reflection of current society? :pac:

No more than a pub is and you can still be refused entry or chucked out of a pub.

LighterGuy

So basically... I can say what I want on here as long as it falls in line with rules

hmmm, i see good posts coming in the future :pac:

Manic Moran

Where I'm concerned, you have the freedom to say whatever you want subject to the legal limitations, such as yelling 'Fire!' in a crowded theatre.

That does not mean that you are immune from the consequences of your speech, however, or the reactions of others. If that means boycotts, slams, or any other legal reprecussion, so be it.

NTM

Yahew

seamus wrote: »

However, "I don't like black people" is not the same as "Black People are evil". The latter would be classified as incitement to hatred and rightly so. It's not a statement of opinion, it's a statement of (incorrect) fact. Free speech is not the right to say whatever you like.

Free speech allows the statement of incorrect facts, too. Or else the Nation of Islam would be in Jail for believing white people are evil.

Free speech, such as it exists anywhere, only exists in the US.

As for the Fire in the crowded hall argument. The law deals with reasonable people - it assumes adults of sound mind are subject to reason - and it is reasonable to panic if someone shouts fire, but not reasonable if your God is insulted. Deal with it.

Libel is still restricted in the US, as is causing a riot. However the cause of the riot has to be proven incitement to the group you are talking to ( i.e. The Papists are taking over go burn down their churches) not the people who react to your speech from the opposing groups. They probably have someone causing them to riot.

Pastor Jones didn't cause the riot when he burned the Koran, the Clerics in the Afghanistani Mosques and Madrassas incited the riot.

Saila

LighterGuy wrote: »

good post. but how come if someone said that line, they would be banned on here?

thats the line you were talking about

intertube --> RL