Free Speech
I started to think about free speech particularly when recently in America a foreign student was approached by several intimidating looking individuals on the street. You might well have been forgiven for thinking that an attack was taking place. Recorded on people’s security cameras, the incident appeared to be traumatic and frightening. The plain clothed individuals were later claimed to be a certain category of police officer but because of the appearance and way that they carried out their objective, the event looked extremely untoward. People were worried about the identity of the individuals and why they were manhandling the young woman off the street. The incident involved what looked to be intimidation and this was because of the unofficial appearance of the men and the way that the young lady was unceremoniously handcuffed and whisked away. Why this had happened turned out to be because she had publicly voiced her opinion about an international issue and that view apparently fell under new free speech regulation. That specific country being America and widely reported to be an advocate for free speech, it did startle the public to somewhat become witness to a crackdown force on people’s opinion.
Surely this could not happen in the UK? After all, the UK I have always thought was supposed to be a founder of the rights for free speech. You have probably guessed what is coming next.
The parents of a child with physical problems voiced, on public media, their concerns over the replacement of the headmaster at their child's school. As the parents believed the proper procedure had not taken place to advertise the vacant position, they had written to the school several times, over this matter. They decided to place their child in a new school. Several days later, they were shocked as at their home three police cars came and both parents were arrested in front of their child. They were handcuffed and driven to a police station several miles away from their home. After ten hours they were released on police bail. The arrest came about after a complaint by members of staff from the former school feeling they had been harassed and intimidated. Several days later the parents were contacted by the police to say there would be no further action.
Freedom of speech can only be maintained by the willingness of society to preserve it and that means individuals making an effort to point out when things are going wrong. If agendas are enforced and people deliberately name comments as taboo, label comments in a way that was not intended in the first place or excessively contort the objective, that can have a limiting effect on the freedom of speech. This tactic does seem to be becoming more prevalent, especially in places where there is a party line and view.
People over the years have striven for the right of free speech, especially in the Houses of Parliament where the voices of women were not heard until the year 1918. I think the opportunity to speak freely has been won by diligent actions and it matters. However to preserve this right due care must be taken. There should be a right to raise concerns, views and legitimate issues while not provoking violence or prejudice. Being able to observe the local laws of free speech has been hard won and if done appropriately can safeguard the violation of people’s opportunity to voice concerns.
Surely this could not happen in the UK? After all, the UK I have always thought was supposed to be a founder of the rights for free speech. You have probably guessed what is coming next.
The parents of a child with physical problems voiced, on public media, their concerns over the replacement of the headmaster at their child's school. As the parents believed the proper procedure had not taken place to advertise the vacant position, they had written to the school several times, over this matter. They decided to place their child in a new school. Several days later, they were shocked as at their home three police cars came and both parents were arrested in front of their child. They were handcuffed and driven to a police station several miles away from their home. After ten hours they were released on police bail. The arrest came about after a complaint by members of staff from the former school feeling they had been harassed and intimidated. Several days later the parents were contacted by the police to say there would be no further action.
Freedom of speech can only be maintained by the willingness of society to preserve it and that means individuals making an effort to point out when things are going wrong. If agendas are enforced and people deliberately name comments as taboo, label comments in a way that was not intended in the first place or excessively contort the objective, that can have a limiting effect on the freedom of speech. This tactic does seem to be becoming more prevalent, especially in places where there is a party line and view.
People over the years have striven for the right of free speech, especially in the Houses of Parliament where the voices of women were not heard until the year 1918. I think the opportunity to speak freely has been won by diligent actions and it matters. However to preserve this right due care must be taken. There should be a right to raise concerns, views and legitimate issues while not provoking violence or prejudice. Being able to observe the local laws of free speech has been hard won and if done appropriately can safeguard the violation of people’s opportunity to voice concerns.
No comments have been added yet.
