Category Archives: Freedom of Speech

Until every soul is freely permitted to investigate every book, and creed, and dogma for itself, the world cannot be free. Mankind will be enslaved until there is mental grandeur enough to allow each man to have his thought and say. This earth will be a paradise when men can, upon all these questions differ, and yet grasp each other's hands as friends. It is amazing to me that a difference of opinion upon subjects that we know nothing with certainty about, should make us hate, persecute, and despise each other. Why a difference of opinion upon predestination, or the trinity, should make people imprison and burn each other seems beyond the comprehension of man; and yet in all countries where Christians have existed, they have destroyed each other to the exact extent of their power. Why should a believer in God hate an atheist? Surely the atheist has not injured God, and surely he is human, capable of joy and pain, and entitled to all the rights of man. Would it not be far better to treat this atheist, at least, as well as he treats us?

Christians tell me that they love their enemies, and yet all I ask isnot that they love their enemies, not that they love their friends even, but that they treat those who differ from them, with simple fairness.

We do not wish to be forgiven, but we wish Christians to so act that we will not have to forgive them. If all will admit that all have an equal right to think, then the question is forever solved; but as long as organized and powerful churches, pretending to hold the keys of heaven and hell, denounce every person as an outcast and criminal who thinks for himself and denies their authority, the world will be filled with hatred and suffering. To hate man and worship God seems to be the sum of all the creeds. Robert G. Ingersoll, Some Mistakes of Moses

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Quotes About Freedom Of Speech (172 quotes)

Jul. 7, 2015

Singapore court releases 16-year-old blogger Amos Yee, who was convicted on several charges after posting video celebrating death of former leader Lee Kuan Yew; episode illuminates country's tight speech restrictions. MORE

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard defends bill under review that would restrict Islamic face coverings for women and hateful speech meant to incite violence; says government must 'draw a line in the sand' on freedom of expression. MORE

Supreme Court, voting 5 to 4, upholds Texas' right to refuse to allow specialty license plates bearing the Confederate flag; majority interpreted plates as part of government speech, rendering them immune from First Amendment attacks. MORE

Supreme Court rules unanimously that town of Gilbert, Ariz violated the First Amendment by limiting size of signs announcing church services; local church challenged ordinance restricting political, ideological and directional signs. MORE

Committee to Protect Journalists reports at least 452 journalists worldwide were forced into exile since 2010, with 101 from Syria, 57 from Ethiopia and 52 from Iran; attributes Syria's majority to threat of government reprisals and attacks by militant groups. MORE

Editorial condemns effective death sentence handed down to blogger Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia; observes Badawi will receive 1,000 lashes for what amounts to free expression; calls for clemency from King Salman bin Abdulaziz. MORE

David Brooks Op-Ed column warns that current generation of college students is admirably engaged in trying to right historical wrongs like gender and sexual discrimination in way that is bordering on form of zealotry; holds that where students go wrong is in trying to root out and punish incorrect thought, in some cases by targeting college professors who have done nothing more than bring politically incorrect language into public square. MORE

Op-Ed article by former New York Lt Gov Betsy McCaughey opposes ban on private political advertising by mass transit agencies in Washington, New York and Philadelphia; acknowledges bans are intended to avoid potentially offensive and hate-fueled material, but holds they effectively grant government a monopoly on political speech; expresses hope that restrictions will be reversed if Supreme Court takes up cases. MORE

Amarin Pharma brings novel free-speech suit against Food and Drug Administration, saying agency has no constitutional grounds to bar pharmaceutical companies from discussing off-label medication usage with doctors; argues FDA has no right to bar transmission of accurate information, but critics say promotion of off-label use dangerously sidesteps agency's authority. MORE

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Freedom of Speech and Expression - News - Times Topics ...

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DARKA SHADEZ -TALK DEM A TALK - DISS ZIGGY CHANG (50 CAL RIDDIM
PROD BY SERB..... ARTIST :DARKA SHADEZ TITLE :TALK DEM A TALK (DISS ZIGGY CHANG) {50 CAL RIDDIM} FREEDOM OF SPEECH...... TO CONTACT DARKA SHADEZ.FOR MORE INFO ...

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DARKA SHADEZ -TALK DEM A TALK - DISS ZIGGY CHANG (50 CAL RIDDIM - Video

Eddie Griffin - Freedom Of Speech, Comedians Best 2015 [STAND UP COMEDY]
Eddie Griffin -, Freedom Of Speech, Comedians Best 2015, Eddie Griffin stand up comedy, Eddie Griffin stand up comedy 2015, Eddie Griffin stand up comedy 2014, Eddie Griffin stand up comedians,...

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Eddie Griffin - Freedom Of Speech, Comedians Best 2015 [STAND UP COMEDY] - Video

#39;Can #39;t pepper spray a ghost #39;: Holograms parade in Madrid enraged over anti-protest gag law
A new Spanish law restricting public protests is met with a wave of anger - with activists calling it a crackdown on freedom of speech. RT LIVE http://rt.com/on-air Subscribe to RT! http://www.y...

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'Can't pepper spray a ghost': Holograms parade in Madrid enraged over anti-protest gag law - Video

Bulldozing these Bills in Parliament shows us just how desperate Barisan Nasional is to stay in power.

COMMENT

By Charles Santiago

Malaysians went to bed last week only to wake up the next day to a shrinking democratic space in the country.

They woke up to find themselves robbed off their civil liberties, and their freedom of speech stifled.

Bulldozing the various Bills in Parliament, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and amendments to the Sedition Act among many others, the government has seen to it that Malaysians have lesser civil and political rights now while the police have emboldened their powers.

Prime Minister Najib Razak pledged to repeal the Sedition Act three years ago but has gone back on his words.

I have to admit that I am equally worried about voicing out my opinions as anything and everything can be construed as seditious.

The detailed provisions in these laws remain open to possible abuse by the government and police, while keeping a tighter lid on opposition politicians and civil society.

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POTA, Sedition Act spell a week of outrage for Msians

BEIRUT

Journalists covering an international investigation into the assassination of Lebanons ex-prime minister, Rafik Hariri, will find themselves testifying this week, prompting a debate over the Special Tribunal for Lebanons reach and the limits of free speech.

For the past six years, the court has sought to find and prosecute the culprits behind the Hariri assassination. Hariri was one of a number of high-profile critics of the Syrian regime to be assassinated at the time. He and 21 others were killed by a huge car bomb in 2005 on a Beirut street.

On Thursday, the tribunal begins a trial for journalists and news outlets it claims have undermined its investigation by revealing details about witnesses in the case.

Freedom of speech

Among the accused set to stand trial is well-known journalist Karma al-Khayat and her employer Al Jadeed TV. Al-Khayat is accused of contempt of court alongside Hezbollah-leaning newspaper Al-Akhbar and the papers co-founder, Ibrahim Al-Amin.

Al-Khayat, like Al-Amin, has pleaded not guilty and denies the broadcasts undermined the efforts of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

We believe this is a trial about freedom of speech, she told VOA. "By putting us on trial, they are trying to shut us up and teach a lesson to all other media in Lebanon.

Divisive role

Based in The Hague and established by the United Nations Security Council at the request of the Lebanese government, the tribunal is trying in absentia five members of Hezbollah for complicity in the assassination. Hezbollah has refused to acknowledge the tribunal or hand over its members to the court, which it claims is politically driven.

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International Tribunal for Lebanon to Try Journalists for Leaks

AMSA: Freedom of Speech - Where Should The Boundaries Lie? Birmingham University
16/02/15 The recent heinous Charlie Hebdo massacre has triggered a whirlwind of discussion regarding the role and nature of free speech within our society. As the debate continues, this joint...

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AMSA: Freedom of Speech - Where Should The Boundaries Lie? Birmingham University - Video

By Bart Katureebe

It is an honour and privilege to officiate at the second edition of the Uganda National Journalism A ward ceremony. This award is aimed at improving the quality of journalism in Uganda by inspiring and recognizing excellence in reporting on public affairs.

Journalists in any democratic society play a critical role in holding, receiving and imparting all forms of opinions, ideas and information. Therefore, the importance of recognizing and inspiring those gallant men and women, who devote their time, energy and effort to excel in this profession, cannot be overemphasized. It is because of this critical role played by the press and the media that any democratic society must uphold freedom of speech and expression.

Indeed, a democracy cannot exist without freedom to express new ideas and to put forward opinions about the functioning of public institutions. The concept of free and uninhibited speech permeates all truly democratic societies and institutions.

Uganda, like any other democratic society, is committed to uphold, protect and promote the right to freedom of speech and expression. It is for that reason that the right is entrenched in the most binding instrument on the land, the Constitution. The Constitution guarantees to every Ugandan the right of freedom to hold opinions, receive and impart ideas and inform without interference. This commitment is not only found in the Constitution but also in other legislation.

The Uganda Constitution provides in Article 29(1) (a) that: "Every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, which include freedom of the press and other media." Article 41 (1) states that: "Every citizen has a right of access to information in the possession of the state or any other organ or agency of the state ex- cept where the release of the information is likely to prejudice the security or sovereignty of the state or interfere with the right to privacy of any other person."

Article 20(1) of the same Constitution acknowledges that: "Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual are inherent and not granted by the state ."

In addition, Article 20(2) enjoins all organs and agencies of government and all persons to respect, uphold and promote the rights and freedoms of the individuals and groups enshrined in the Constitution.

It is, however, worth noting that the right to freedom of speech and expression is not absolute. They may be restricted. However, any such restriction or limitation must be within strictly and narrowly defined parameters.

Article 43 of the Constitution provides general limitations on fundamental and other human rights and freedoms, which include freedom of speech and expression. It states that:

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Uganda: Judiciary Will Jealously Guard Freedom of Speech