Do you think freedom of expression is absolute?

@masang (295)
Philippines
October 19, 2011 3:49am CST
In a democratic country there is a freedom of expression. But as what I have observed this is being abused. Many will just say anything, criticize negatively, hurt others terribly and it's even easy for other people to throw accusations without sufficient evidences because of freedom of expression. Is there really such thing as absolute freedom of expression?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Liliac26 (557)
• Romania
19 Oct 11
No. There are plenty of obstacles in the way of absolute freedom, the biggest of which is that everyone has to take responsibility for what they say. If one says just anything publicly, they may get sued for slander, questioned or blamed by other people, marginalised, they may lose friends, make enemies and so on. Also, there is political correctness, which is a positive thing in my opinion, but does limit freedom of expression.
@masang (295)
• Philippines
20 Oct 11
I agree with you. There's no such thing as absolute freedom. If it is absolute, you can do anything what you want even without responsibility.
@wmaths (564)
• Italy
19 Oct 11
yes, i think that it should be one of the most important rights of the human being! i can't imagine how could be a life without the freedom of expression! In many country there isn't a complete freedom and we have to work hard to obtain this everywhere!
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
19 Oct 11
Yes I think freedom of expression is absolute. People who are complaining about the fact it isn't always make me wonder time after time again how come they do have the right to insult others. The artistic people for example. Why they do believe they have the right to say and do what they want in name of their lor or strong believe in ... I also do believe people shout way to easily it's discriminating and hurting etc. An artist shows his/her view on things and expresses this in different way. If you don't like to see or hear it then you are free not to. And no there is no freedom of expression because there are always some people or groups or extremistic ... who do have something to complain about, who do feel insulted even if it is not ment that way, who only see the bad thing in it or ghost which don't exist. It's not the discrimination or insult that counts for them but the fear that the group/people will start thinking by themselves and not believe everything that is told them anymore. If a dutch mayor forbids paintings of a moslim about moslim because some moslim group finds it insulting and is threatening the mayor (and artist) there is no freedom of expression. There is only freedom for those who intimidate and manipulate and abuse other people and the law in a bad way. I can't have any respect for these kind of people. If you want to be accepted the way you are and if you want freedom of expression and speech it is normal others have the same right.