Preview

Freedom of Speech & Expression Should Be Curtailed

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2116 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Freedom of Speech & Expression Should Be Curtailed
FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION SHOULD BE CURTAILED?
Freedom of speech has been said to be the foundation of modern democracy, and a fundamental part of the Western civilization. According to statistics, pretty much everyone claims to support freedom of speech. The claimed support of freedom of speech is widespread even amongst Muslims, of who over 90% support it. However, I'm positive that the numbers would be different if the question was whether it should be legal to draw cartoons about the prophet Muhammad.
This reveals the unfortunate fact that even though almost everyone claims to support freedom of speech, their definition of freedom of speech is quite restricted. This is of course something that not only Muslims do, but almost everyone. In this text I will define the framework to achieve what I like to call absolute freedom of speech. Even it will have a limited restriction, but only because of the current technological level of our society. I believe with sufficient technology absolute freedom of speech will be possible indeed. As far as I concern, there is not a single nation that does not guarantee “freedom of speech” in their constitution. It is included in pretty much any EU country, in the US, Malaysia, in China and even in North Korea. This shows that the word itself is pretty meaningless, since the custom is to claim to have freedom of speech and still have a widespread censorship system in place. This applies to Western nations too, not only to countries like North Korea where the situation is abhorrent.
By freedom of speech in this context I do not only mean speech, but information in any media, be it a sound recording, a picture or a video and also press. The whole point of freedom of speech is to allow even the crazy, disgusting information to be made available. Some people have the skewed view that freedom of speech should only allow the mutually agreed, fun beliefs, and not the disgusting and offending stuff. But such a view is against the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    As American Citizens our freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution’s first Amendment which “guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition…” (Cornell Law 2017), but that doesn’t or shouldn’t give anyone the right to cause harm or violence against another person or group of people if we do not agree or share the same beliefs. The laws were created to protect us, but many people interpret the laws differently and therefore, feel entitled to speak freely even if it causes…

    • 519 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Limitations on freedoms of society are crucial, especially in America. As Roger Rosenblatt noted in his essay, “We Are Free to Be You, Me, Stupid and Dead,” many people express their freedom of speech in very offensive and controversial ways. Often their expressions violate other amendments and freedoms as well.…

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Freedom of speech is something that every person should be allowed to have. It is a right given by the constitution. That is how this country was created; every man deserves the chance to say what he thinks. But that right can also be misused; people shouldn't be allowed to broadcast on the radio or on the television everything that they want because of the consequences. It could lead children to violence. Because of this, there should be control over the airwaves, but it should be limited. It should be controlled by an organization that would decide what would be ok to broadcast and what not.…

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    If people are going to express themselves then they should be aware of the possible effects it is going to have on the people around them. Free speech may be protected by the First Amendment but it does…

    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is entirely a matter of opinion as to whether or not people’s rights are being infringed upon. In my opinion, it is a case-by-case debate. For me, there are certain instances in which people go too far and it is no longer exercising free speech. People trying to fight oppression can sometimes end up oppressing others as shown in the case of the “Draw Muhammad” contest. But freedom of speech should be more lenient in terms of sexual education. Personally, I believe that it cannot be said in general terms whether speech should be more or less free. The concept of freedom of speech is undeniably complex and due to its complexities, this issue has no obvious…

    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The concept of Freedom of speech is one which is held sovereign by many constitutions and individuals, especially within the American states. The idea of limiting an American citizen’s freedom of speech would be highly offensive and seen as an act only a dictatorial Government would undertake which, with many factors considered, is true. The actions that in many cases are considered by these Governments are; Threats of imprisonments if the individual acts in an unfavourable way, prohibition of political parties and protests, also a very common limitation undertook within many places, such as Korea, is the censorship of the media and the killing or imprisonment of Journalists who have took part in media considered offensive to the current Government or acts which are seen as manipulating the minds of the citizens of said Country.…

    • 1006 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The freedom of speech isn't really free in today's society. “... This sacred privilege is so essential to free governments, that the security of property, and the freedom of speech always go together, and in those wretched countries where a man cannot call his tongue his own, he can scarce call anything else his own…” (Benjamin Franklin, Silence Dogood, No.8, July 9, 1772). Freedom of speech shouldn’t be judged or even talked about what this one person has said and just make it where it’s not true to what that person has said in the first…

    • 1198 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In the United States we have many freedoms that we as citizens possess. Freedom of speech is one of the freedoms we enjoy. But what is the meaning of the word “freedom”, and how free is our speech? The word free, according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary means: having the legal and political rights of a citizen. With this in mind, it does not mean that we have the right to do and say as we please. The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (The Constitution of The United States). The Citizens of the United States misinterpret the phase “Freedom of Speech” to suit their own needs and wants. In this essay we will discuss how our interpretation of our freedom is only a myth brought on by our selfish ways and thoughts and interpreted according to what we feel it means in the situations that fit best. The First Amendment has been interpreted by the Supreme Courts to only protect citizens in certain applications and situations and, not protect some companies and corporations nor does it offer to protect citizens of the United States from speaking against the government. Governmental agencies have twisted the first amendment to fit what the individuals of that particular agencies likes or dislikes, and their view of certain speakers.…

    • 1355 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Should Speech Be Limited

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Freedom of speech is essential part of democratic government tho. The only way truth can emerge is when there is an open competition of ideas. However, there is a strong support of censorship when people start mentioning extremely offensive opinions. Should the freedom of speech be limited in this case? Im my opinion, the answer is no. If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. If we want to enjoy the freedom fully, the full protection should be given to the freedom of speech. There are no compromises about it.…

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In the United States of America, citizens possess the privilege to enjoy the freedom of speech and the freedom to express their views and feelings under the protection of the U.S. Constitution. However, there may be a point at which freedom of speech is abused or escalated to an unethical level that may be harmful to the well-being of society, particularly the youth of today and the future leaders of our world.…

    • 1759 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Freedom of Speech

    • 571 Words
    • 3 Pages

    I believe in freedom of speech. I believe it is a privilege over a right. We, as Americans, should use this freedom as often as we are able. If a situation arises in which you do not agree on, let it be known that you do not agree. You have a voice, use it. We Americans are so privileged to have this right; many countries have made freedom of speech forbidden. Yet, we abuse it by not taking action.…

    • 571 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It has been common today to dismiss people’s views on certain subjects, so are people really getting to use their right of Freedom of Speech? When given the topic of Freedom of Speech most people will agree that anyone can state their own opinion, but when their opinion’s clash, some believe that the other person is slandering them. You would think that the option to state your opinion freely without getting yelled at or told that your unfair. Americans today tend to believe Freedom of Speech is limited, such as you can say your opinion as long as it doesn’t offend anyone else. Oliver Kam acknowledges in the article “Free Speech Should Not is Regulated” (Civil Liberties 2009) ‘The traditional balance between free speech and respect for the feelings of others is evidently becoming harder to sustain’. Freedom of Speech today has drastically changed since put into effect, people are afraid to say what they believe in because they do not want to upset anyone.…

    • 977 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Freedom of Speech

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages

    But what is Freedom of Speech? It is our ability to say what we want, when we want and to whom we want? But there are even restrictions on what we want to say for example a person cannot yell fire in a crowded movie theater. Like all situations there will be persons to disagree?…

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Freedom of expression is a vital right we have in America that is slowly getting removed under certain circumstances. Like when Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand up for the playing of The National Anthem because of personal religious convictions. They suspended him from the baseball league for such actions. It is a legal right to express religion and he got penalized for doing so. That is recent proof that our rights are slowly getting taken away.…

    • 831 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Freedom of Speech?

    • 1794 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Living in America means that we as citizens of the country have many rights according to the laws stated in the United States Constitution, which stands for our principles and make up the rights that American 's deserve. One major freedom we have is stated in The First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This amendment shows that our government should not be allowed to put limitations on the people 's right to express themselves through free speech and religion. We as citizens have the right to voice our opinions as long as we do not cause harm while doing so. This is a reason why many people from around the world choose to come to America, for their right to freedom. The first amendment should apply to everyone who lives in the United States, but in some cases it does not.…

    • 1794 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays