Free Speech & Hate Speech
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 3.3.17
Free Speech and Hate Speech
Freedom of speech is one of the most important aspects of a free society.
Freedom of speech
- Freedom of speech allows people to say what they think, even when they are wrong.
- This allows people to openly criticise the policies of the leadership of the country.
- But there has been growing debate about whether there should be limits to freedom of speech.
Limits to freedom of speech
- Should someone be free to shout 'Fire!' for fun in a crowded theatre, which might then result in stampede and death?
- Should people be allowed to say things about a minority group that may cause them harm?
- Can people say things that others find offensive?
- Some religious people, for example, are offended when their core beliefs are ridiculed, such as attacks on the character of Muhammad or Jesus.
Progress
- The philosopher John Stuart Mill said that freedom of speech was essential to progress.
- Stuart Mill said progress comes about when people discuss different points of view.
- This is how we sift good ideas from bad ones.
Free speech in universities
- Universities are committed to the advancement of understanding.
- In some universities invited speakers have been 'no-platformed'.
- No-platforming is where someone is prevented from speaking publicly.
- At Durham University members of the British National Party were no-platformed.
- Many of the students objected to giving a platform to people who were anti-Semitic and viewed some races as superior to others.
Test yourself on Free Speech & Hate Speech
What is freedom of speech?
Which of these were part of John Stuart Mill's ideas about freedom of speech?