Five people are arrested for racist comments in Europe. Do we know if speech is, on a practical level, freer here because of the First Amendment or there because of an intolerance for 'ugly' speech?
Five people are arrested for racist comments in Europe. Do we know if speech is, on a practical level, freer here because of the First Amendment or there because of an intolerance for 'ugly' speech?
The easiest thing to do is say I am thankful for the First Amendment when I see headlines like these: Five people arrested over racist abuse of England players It’s the one thing we’ve long been taught to do when discussing free speech issues here, defending even ugly speech to ensure that speaking freely remains a right for us all. It makes sense. My question is whether that’s really true. Does anyone know?
I'm from the UK. I don't feel like I can't say things. The laws mainly prevent people from inciting racial hatred and violence. Five people have been arrested but they may not reach the level to actually be charged.
Many people for instance criticise African / Muslim migrants who cross the channel from France in boats to claim asylum in the UK on social media and state that they don't like it because the Uk is already too diverse and has too many people from different cultures. (I disagree with them). But that's not racial hatred unless they use Blatantly racist words (like the N word) or incite violence on the migrants. People can discuss what they like as long as they are respectful. Sometimes the police mess up and arrest people when they shouldn't but the laws are still fairly new. The courts and prosecution services however know their stuff and will only prosecute if someone has really committed racial hatred. I'm more than happy with our laws.
I'm from the UK. I don't feel like I can't say things. The laws mainly prevent people from inciting racial hatred and violence. Five people have been arrested but they may not reach the level to actually be charged.
Many people for instance criticise African / Muslim migrants who cross the channel from France in boats to claim asylum in the UK on social media and state that they don't like it because the Uk is already too diverse and has too many people from different cultures. (I disagree with them). But that's not racial hatred unless they use Blatantly racist words (like the N word) or incite violence on the migrants. People can discuss what they like as long as they are respectful. Sometimes the police mess up and arrest people when they shouldn't but the laws are still fairly new. The courts and prosecution services however know their stuff and will only prosecute if someone has really committed racial hatred. I'm more than happy with our laws.
Dr. Bailey, I have read in various places about the assaults on free speech in the UK. Here is a bit of discussion...alas, from 2014.
https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2014/11/11/another-assault-on-free-speech/
And this from this year:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53526843
I know that there are others.....