What do you understand about "Freedom of expression"?
By josefina
@josie_ (10033)
Philippines
February 19, 2017 10:08pm CST
I find it ridiculous whenever people complain that media is bias or slanted.
But of course it is!
In politics we find views from "left wing" progressive liberals, and opposing them are the "right wing" conservatives and traditionalists. On the far end of the center you have the socialist, communists, fascists and othe lesser reactionaries.
Unfortunately, rather than use our "critical thinking" to come up with a judgment of our own, many of us accept hook, line and sinker the opinions of popular media personalities as the absolute truth. But that's not what this discussion is all about.
According to the Universal Declaratin of Human Rights, "Freedom of expression is the right of EVERY INDIVIDUAL to hold opinions without interference and seek, receive and impart information and IDEAS through media and regardless of frontiers".
In the "marketplace of ideas", freedom of expression is necessary to have a healthy competition of opposing views. Hopefully the truth emerges.
As the often quoted "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it", that's what Democracy is all about.
Even if I have to suffer another one of Donald Trump's ranting and raving tweets.
Image: flickr creative commons
Image: flickr creative commons2 people like this
3 responses
@flpoolbum (2978)
• United States
20 Feb 17
President Trump does have infamously "thin skin". I texted him before he was sworn into office, telling that historically, Presidents get scrutinized by the opposition, picked on and are sometimes the punch line of many jokes. I tried to encourage him let it go. I figured that he wouldn't read it but maybe a staffer would. Most Presidents just blow things like that off.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10033)
• Philippines
20 Feb 17
@flpoolbum _Donald trump is proving adept in the use of social media. Let's not begrudge him life's simple pleasures. We are getting a lot of laughs in return.
@flpoolbum (2978)
• United States
20 Feb 17
@josie_ ~It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic, pathetic and POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS for us, as a nation. God help us, if his Tweets start a military conflict or war. All of the other Presidents in recent history have at least tried to act "Presidential".
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10033)
• Philippines
20 Feb 17
@flpoolbum _As long as it remain the WAR OF THE TWEETS" we should be fine. I know this is a serious matter but I couldn't resist the poke on the ridiculousness of Trumps tweeting activity.
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
20 Feb 17
The recent Brexit vote and Trump success has lead me to believe that many liberals only believe in freedom of expression as long as they agree with what is being expressed.
Unfortunately too many people only want to hear opinions that agree with their own and no longer possess the wit and intelligence to debate a subject. You don't agree with someone these days and they just block you.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
20 Feb 17
@josie_ On the contrary. I voted to leave the EU. Long list of reasons which I haven't got the time nor energy to reproduce here but let's just say I, and many others, see the EU as benefiting nobody but German exporters while screwing most Southern European countries to the floor!!
It has been interesting that since the vote many of the remain voters, who like to portray themselves as progressive liberals, have resorted to name-calling, insults and demands for the referendum to be re-run because it didn't go the way they wanted.
The irony is that many of the things they passionately hate, such as globalism, downward pressure on wages etc. are actually perpetuated by the European Union!!
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10033)
• Philippines
20 Feb 17
@WorDazza _Blocking would be preferable than continuing a useless argument that probably would have degenerated into name calling and insults to one's character. It's good many forums provide moderators who.monitor the debate to see it does not get out of hand. I take it you disagree with the Brexit vote results?
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10033)
• Philippines
20 Feb 17
@WorDazza _Was the EU ever free from US interference? It is the financial/ economic counter part of NATO in the Geo-political chess game to encircle Russia. Putin is now using Russia's vast oil reserve to counter America;s plan. Much more of concern for England is what happens now with Scotland and Northern Ireland voting to stay in the EU and to break away from the UK?
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
20 Feb 17
I agree one hundred percent and the only people who are scared of peoples viewpoints are the people that cannot think for themselves. While many viewpoints can be down right scary most are not in a position of power to make their scary view points come true. If politicians have scary viewpoints and are making them law, well the people voted for them. Last I checked the media, biased or not does not make policy. Use your brain and do your own research to find out if a certain media tells the real news.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
20 Feb 17
@flpoolbum Yeah, terrible law and I never understood why people think so highly of Paul Ryan. The man is all about profits for him and his rich buddies. Also baffled how so many thought Trump was actually going to do something for the little person.
1 person likes this
