Sunday 11 January 2015

Freedom of speech and right to offend

A man's right to free speech allows him to express his feelings to the outer world. His likes, his dislikes, his thoughts, his opinions, speech is the outlet through which he communicates and explains his very essence. However, speech may also be conflicting, contradicting the notions of right and wrong. Sometimes, speech may hurt other people. How much is too much freedom is a question of cultures and social regulations. In countries like India, free speech is subject to certain restrictions that may be imposed on the grounds of obscenity, inciting offences, effecting peaceful relations, public order, national security while in countries like the middle eastern states, there is very little free speech. On the other hand, European and American countries afford their citizens unrestricted freedom of speech and expression. However, sometimes this freedom of speech comes along with a burden of violence if it is loaded with distasteful subjects. While free speech is a right to be cherished, should its excessive usage so as to offend and disregard other communities and cultures be allowed to remain specially if that means innocent lives be lost is a question requiring a lengthy debate and a course that is reasonable should be taken.

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