Freedom of speech
By Holly Hemming
Our freedom of speech is what allows us to be ourselves, express what is important to us, socialise, learn, and illustrate the world around us. What could possibly be wrong with that? In an idyllic society: nothing. In a world of prejudice, misinformation and discrimination, it can be used damagingly. The problem is not, then, freedom of speech, but a lack of education.
Freedom of speech is a right protected in freedom of expression (with restrictions to the freedom such as penalties being in place for instances including inciting violence) in the Human Rights Act of 1998 and is essential to a functioning democracy. With freedom of speech people can enjoy and express themselves without fear of repercussions, which is brilliant, but people can also broadcast false information, discriminatory views, and hatred and this can be incredibly detrimental to society. For example: the spread of conspiracy theories in the previous 3 years has resulted in serious criminal acts and loss of life. These theories in themselves may not directly incite violence and therefore are less controllable in law. The 5G conspiracy theory (that the 5G network was a method of transmission of Covid-19) led to crimes such as arson and death threats from civilians that were deceived into a state of irrationality. Whilst arguably many would not take the action these protestors did, the conspiracy certainly incited their behaviour. Conspiracies from bodies such as QAnon were directly involved in the storming of the Capitol which resulted in the death of one protestor and one officer (as direct impacts) and the deaths of 3 more protestors as a result of medical emergencies that they couldn’t reach and the injury of more than 140 people in law enforcement. All of this happening because of the spread of misinformation, allowed by freedom of expression.
Freedom of speech can be wonderful, and by design it should be. Freedom to express ourselves must be one of the greatest freedoms humankind can have. The spread of information raises awareness and allows the creation of support networks, instigates positive change that is appropriate to a modern, ever changing society. Communication is what connects us as humans and is paramount to freedom and life as we know it. Without freedom of speech, the UK would be a very different place, so it may be surprising to learn that, because the UK does not have a codified constitution, the right to freedom of expression is not fully enshrined or entrenched so it is somewhat vulnerable. The ability to share our views without repercussion is arguably the most fundamental right humanity can hold, and yet so many live without this right (especially in authoritarian regimes) in countries such as: North Korea, Libya, Burma and Cuba. Words hold immense significance and talking is what can truly alter the world. Speeches from activists promoting equality and equity and protection of the environment such as Martin Luther King Junior’s ‘I have a dream’ speech can create shockwaves of progress and be overwhelmingly positive.
So why can it be so damaging?
Freedom of expression is not the problem, societal issues that are rife within the UK’s culture, and a lack of education are the problem. And therefore, to mitigate the abuse of freedom of speech, we should be wary of ignorance and considerate of the consequence, significance, and value of words. Freedom of speech is what gives people power and the opportunity to express their identity. Humankind’s capacity to communicate extensively, imaginatively and elaborately is what makes us unique and allows us to frame our stories and describe the chaos of the world around us. Without freedom of speech, we could not be us.