Discussion Forums » Topic of the Month
Topic for January 2025 - Free Speech - How free should it be?
-
Free Speech – How free should it be?
Our agenda for this topic is below:
Agenda
What are the good and bad things about free speech? Is free speech essential to democracy? How do international and cultural differences on free speech differ?
What would be the effect of having no constraints on free speech? Does this include the right to create and propagate fake news, to mislead, to gratuitously offend, to indulge in conspiracy theories, to present opinion as fact, to bully, to conduct personal attacks? Do we have the resilience to handle unconstrained free speech?
Do we believe the right to free speech brings with it responsibilities on us as individuals and on institutions, particularly the media? If so how should ‘responsible free speech’ be defined - what responsibilities would we want to see enshrined? Are these responsibilities different in different forums? Do they go beyond responsibilities to constraints in law in some cases?
Is online speech different? Does anonymity aid or hinder free speech? How should we balance privacy and accountability?
Does free speech inevitably lead to polarisation, unrest and conflict rather than community cohesion?
How do we balance free speech with other rights?
- Free speech versus public safety: How to address speech that incites violence or panic.
- Free speech and equality: Speech that perpetuates discrimination or marginalization.
- Cultural sensitivities and blasphemy: Freedom of expression versus respect for religious or cultural beliefs
Is our free speech too constrained currently e.g. cancellation of people within certain groups? Should the rules of free expression be different for different media and in different forums? Is the size and speed of the megaphone important? Is algorithmic amplification of controversial or harmful content a problem? The role of intent and context in judging speech. The moral responsibility of speakers and audiences.
Does our adversarial political system and adversarial questioning by the media magnify the problems inherent in free speech?
Is unconstrained free speech the enemy of democracy? Are autocracies in a better place?
What is the role of AI in free speech? Both content moderation and content generation? Will the volume of AI generated content pollute the online world?
What should our education system do with regard to free speech?
Notes
In the UK Free Speech is protected under article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 as follows:
Freedom of expression
- Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
- The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.