A note on Freedom of Speech

March 28th, 2008 By: Claudia, Assistant Editor | Tags:
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Due to the hosting of the anti-Islamic movie “Fitna” on this blog there’s quite a discussion on the subject of freedom of speech going on. You can follow it here. I think that something must be noted, especially for people who are not regular readers.

Every single member of this blog holds freedom of speech to be an essential element of a working and free society. It is in that spirit in which this movie has been hosted. It is NOT neccesarily because we agree with the views expressed in the film (I haven’t yet seen it). It could well be that the film is inaccurate or even bigoted. It could be garbage. The ONLY reason we host it is because of the difficulty there has been in getting the film seen. The fact that it’s existence has been threatened, and fear of violence provoked a discussion of it should be banned is what has given it merit to be hosted here. Our point is not to agree with bigotry, it is that freedom of speech is important enough to allow even ugly speech to have a voice.

We do have a comments policy. Obscenities will be deleted and repeat offenders banned. Incitement to violence will NOT be tolerated. Honest people can disagree about what constitutes freedom of speech and what goes over the line. Feel free to discuss the issue of freedom of speech on the comments thread. If you feel your comment has been unfairly edited or deleted, send an email.

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