Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue 1 (March 1999)
Issue 2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue 7 (May 2000)

Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)

Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)

Categories
Sport: 1 2 3
Lifestyles: 1 2 3
Commentary: 1 2 3
Review: 1 2 3
Writing: 1 2 3
Event: 1 2 3

Freedom of Speech

Patrick Nulty
Riversdale CC

Any person who values democracy values freedom of speech. However in most countries limits are placed on freedom of speech and expression. This is done in order to prevent obscene, anti-social or discriminatory opinions from obtaining an audience. While necessary, these limits are to a large extent subjective and framing proper definitions of what constitutes freedom of speech is a very difficult issue for any society to decide. Censorship, as a principle, is a negative and counter productive practice. While many political philosophies like extreme nationalism and virulent forms of Communism articulate and practice views that have negative effects on society, it is important that all citizens have the right to express their political affiliations however intolerable they may seem.

The Irish state has applied censorship that included the banning of books and political views on a number of occasions. The most notable example is Conor Cruise O'Brien's infamous section 31 of the broadcasting act in 1973 that prohibited members of provisional Sinn Fein from speaking on air. Such a measure, however well intentioned, is a gross prohibition of political speech and freedom. This is particularly true in a situation like Northern Ireland where opinions are so diverse and conflicting. I believe that flawed political philosophies like Fascism, Stalinist Communism and extreme nationalism and loyalism have proven to be failures and that these are best counteracted through debate and discussion rather than censorship. The only type of political comment that should be prevented is one that actively and directly encourages violence against individuals or groups. For example, a political Party like the 'Freedom Party' that is strongly opposed to immigration into Austria should be free to express this opinion. However if they demanded involuntary repatriation or discrimination towards foreigners already living in Austria then some form of legal censure would be necessary.

Freedom of speech for the media is a basic right in any open society. However, in libel actions the right of journalists to write stories must be weighed against the right of the individual to a good name. The balance between these sometimes conflicting rights is a difficult one to achieve. In my opinion, the line should be drawn between public interest and private life. Journalists should be free to publish stories that have a direct public interest but the private lives of public figures should remain private. It must also be noted that people who court media attention cannot complain when that attention is not always positive.
In the arts like literature and film, freedom of expression is crucial in maintaining vitality and originality in the creative process. It was a sad reflection of the Ireland of previous decades that great works of literature like Ulysses by James Joyce and others were banned by an over zealous censorship regime. Film has always been the victim of censorship and even films that have questionable artistic merit have the right to be made and produced. For a film to be banned it must contain scenes of extreme violence or abuse that are included to entertain rather than educate. Practically the rule employed is that while obscenity cannot be defined exactly, one knows it when one sees it. This is the only reasonable approach towards censorship in the arts.

In conclusion, freedom of speech and expression is crucial in any imaginative and forward-looking society. While this may facilitate the expression of undesirable attitudes to life it is better that they are articulated and debated rather than linger unsaid in people's minds or locked in a censor's safe. It is important to remember that freedom of speech is not about being allowed to express your own views but about letting others express theirs.

Back to the top