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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Free speech is an essential pillar of democracy ... and governments, institutions, commissions, the owners of Social Media platforms, and the courts have slowly been whittling away at that pillar


What’s one of the hottest issues these days whether on social media, in colleges and universities, or out and about in public? 

FREE SPEECH.

Nearly a month ago (July 11th) the Board of Governors at Keyano College in Fort McMurray voted unanimously to support the key principles of the Chicago Statement on Free Expression. In a nutshell, the principles of the statement are to ensure the protection of freedom of expression on campus.

“Because the University is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters, it guarantees all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn ... it is not the proper role of the University to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive” ~~ excerpt from the Chicago Statement

On Monday (July 29th) Demetrios Nicolaides, the Alberta Minister of Advanced Education, took a moment to applaud Keyano College for ensuring diverse opinions are heard on its campuses.  When the media release on this arrived, I see-sawed back and forth on whether to file it for future reference, or to delete it thinking, well that’s not a big thing.  In the end, I decided to keep it – I’m glad I did.

What did Alberta’s Advanced Education Minister Nicolaides have to say about the Keyano decision?

“The Keyano College Board of Governors is showing strong leadership by adopting the Chicago principles ... free speech is not only at the heart of the academic experience but it is also an essential pillar of democracy”.

“It is important that our post-secondary institutions remain bastions of free thinking and dialogue, where all members are able to engage in true discovery and learning”.

And that, I realized, was the unconscious reason why I had kept the media release --- I strongly believe that free speech is indeed an essential pillar of democracy ... and governments, institutions, commissions, the owners of Social Media platforms, and the courts have slowly been whittling away at that pillar.

Timothy Garton Ash, on BBC Radio, talked about ‘The Ten Principles for Free Speech’; and how having the right to an opinion without censorship or punishment should be interpreted and exercised. The 10 points he made were that:


  1. all human beings must be free and able to express ourselves, and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, regardless of frontiers
     
  2. we neither make threats of violence nor accept violent intimidation
  3. we allow no taboos against and seize every chance for the spread of knowledge
  4. we require uncensored, diverse, trustworthy media so we can make well-informed decisions and participate fully in political life
  5. we express ourselves openly and with robust civility about all kinds of human difference
  6. we respect the believer but not necessarily the content of the belief
  7. we must be able to protect our privacy and to counter slurs on our reputations, but not prevent scrutiny that is in the public interest 
  8. we must be empowered to challenge all limits to freedom of information justified on such grounds as national security
  9. we defend the internet and other systems of communication against illegitimate encroachments by both public and private powers 
  10. we decide for ourselves and face the consequences.


Coincidentally, Ash also stated, “I don't for a moment imagine I've got all the answers, but free speech on the internet means we can start working on them together. If we're to live together well in this world of neighbours, that's what we need to do. And soon”.

In whole, and without cherry-picking any particular principles, there should indeed be nothing there (in my opinion) to argue against in these 10 points.

Respectful discussion, disagreement, expanding knowledge, and respect are in large part what he is talking about, when it comes to free speech.

... members of the University community must also act in conformity with the principle of free expression. Although members of the University community are free to criticize and contest the views expressed on campus, and to criticize and contest speakers who are invited to express their views on campus, they may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe ...  the University has a solemn responsibility not only to promote a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation, but also to protect that freedom when others attempt to restrict it ~~ excerpt from the Chicago Statement


Brent Davis, first vice chair, Keyano College Board of Governors echoed those words stating;

“Citizens have the right to pronounce their opinions, morals, ethics and world views within the limits of Canadian law, and institutions should not attempt to shield students from these ideas. At the same time, people have the right to criticize and question other views expressed on campus, within the same limits.”

As I mentioned earlier ... governments, institutions, commissions, the owners of Social Media platforms, and the courts have slowly been whittling away ... at the important pillar of democracy; the right to free speech.

Many governments and other institutions, for a multitude of reasons, seem to be reducing our right to free speech.  Not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings could be the reason used, just like everyone should get a participation award rather than choosing winners in sports and real-life situations.  That however is not the underlying reason in my opinion.

Democracy should be about challenging the beliefs of today, looking to the past for guidance, and then asking what we want for today, tomorrow and the future. What will our life be, and what life do we want for our children and future generations?

IF having that right (free speech) is slowly but surely being taken away from us, then we must ask why, and push back strongly against it.

The Chicago Statement on Free Expression shouldn’t just be for students ands facility at institutions of higher learning – it should be for all.  Governments that interfere with the principles of free speech, even if successful for the short-term, will eventually be removed through the ballot box.
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