Given that freedom of speech is a topic that I feel quite passionately about, I decided to delve deeper and explore this particular notion. But what exactly does it mean? Freedom of speech is commonly defined as "the right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint". Most definitions state the government as the source of such restraint, and some state that it sometimes reserves the right to impose certain restrictions. This is your cue to stare incredulously. Where is the need for incredulity, you may ask? Well, the idea that is undergoing discussion is called "freedom of speech" (the word is in bold for a reason aside from decoration). How can you restrict freedom? It doesn't really make sense linguistically or using that good ol' machine up there (i.e. your brain, not your central air conditioning). Or does it?
For years, governments have censored media outlets and other tools dissatisfied citizens may resort to as a means of voicing their critical opinions. However, those who happened to slip below a government's radar and somehow find a way to inform everybody of their disapproval were almost always reprimanded in a range of ways, ranging from fining to imprisonment and torture. Being an Arab citizen living under oppressive Arab regimes, and watching the hypocrisies of politicians, people who claim to be seeking the greater good, people who just can't stop "defending themselves" (hint: their names start with a Z and end with Ionists), to name a few; I've reached the level of maturity where I can confidently say that injustice prevails the world-over. I've grown up listening to stories of activists detained, journalists arrested, dissidents detained and abused in State Security (which has been granted the brand new name of National Security; you can't say democracy never achieved anything) prisons all because they simply voiced their opinions and acted upon them. And it's not just about governments; people who are in power anywhere (be it the work place, high school, you name it) tend to set rules which others are presumably obligated to follow.
Is it logical? Why should a certain group of people prevent others from announcing to the world what they really think/feel? Why should stating your beliefs compromise you and your family's safety and well-being? Why should you waste your whole life keeping your beliefs bottled up because you're not allowed to let others know of them?
However (yes, there is a however in all this), my observations in life have led me to believe that everything in life is relative. What you might be a hundred and one percent convinced of may hold absolutely no weight with someone else. It all depends on your viewpoint which is formed due to a number of cultural and societal reasons, among others. This is what freedom of speech is essentially about; respecting relativity and ensuring that all sorts of diverse opinions get a chance to be unleashed by their owners. Strangely enough, relativity could also be the thing that counteracts freedom of speech. As I said above, certain restrictions are sometimes imposed on freedom of speech, often after such speech is labelled dangerous or harmful to others. An opinion seen by one person as harmless could be seen by another as instigator for immoral/illegal/threatening actions. So where does it end? And who gets to define what is or is not harmless according to their own definitions?
Want my two cents on all this? (Which I will give anyway, because this is my blog. And yes it does have my name on it.) Relativity may be prevalent, but most folk tend to reach an agreement after having a civilized, well-informed discussion. Certain regulations by international organizations have already been issued with regards to freedom of speech, but as we know, such "international laws" are very rarely followed (SEE: United Nations). The truth is, it all comes down to every person and THEIR definition of freedom of speech, as well as their efficient use of brain power that prevents them from becoming completely influenced by anything they see/hear/read.
This isn't over. A topic as intriguing as this one cannot be wholly covered in one measly blog post. In fact, it can never be wholly covered at all, but attempts shall be made. Expect such attempts to be posted on this blog shortly.
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