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:
- all human beings must be free and able to
express ourselves, and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas,
regardless of frontiers
- we neither make threats of violence
nor accept violent intimidation
- we allow no taboos against and seize
every chance for the spread of knowledge
- we require uncensored, diverse,
trustworthy media so we can make well-informed decisions and participate fully
in political life
- we express ourselves openly and with
robust civility about all kinds of human difference
- we respect the believer but not
necessarily the content of the belief
- 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
- we must be empowered to challenge all
limits to freedom of information justified on such grounds as national security
- we defend the internet and other systems of communication against illegitimate encroachments by both public and private powers
- 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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