"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it" - Voltaire
The attack on the office of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has left 12 dead and several others injured. The terrorists were well trained. They were heavily armed with Kalishnikovs and sought out individuals by name. But, unlike the many previous operations that ended in the suicide of terrorists, this time they also had a getaway car waiting. French President Francois Hollande called it "an attack on free speech ". This incident brings out the question
"Is freedom of expression/speech absolute?"
Charlie Hebdo had a perfect right to publish caricatures that mock a particular religion, they had the right to do so in a free and liberal country like France. There is absolutely no doubt that there will be people who feel that the magazine was overly provocative and that they brought it upon themselves. Some people might also be of the opinion that there must be a limit to freedom and that they brought it upon themselves. Some people might also be of the opinion that there must be a limit to freedom and that there is nothing called freedom. My question would be is there a clear line where freedom of speech becomes offensive. What is offensive to one might not be offensive to another. The perspective varies.
A key clause in the United Nations universal declaration of human rights is that " Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers." As Charlie Hebdo was not forcing people to buy their magazines, they cannot be branded "offensive". The terrorists in the name of religion and through this attack have actually opened up these cartoons to a wider audience. We must not only support the right of people to express controversial opinions but be prepared to express them ourselves despite the intimidation.
Publishers and editors across the globe should honour the murdered staff of Charlie Hebdo by refusing to self censor. Nothing, including religion should be off limits. Free speech must not be silenced in the wake of these attacks.
Je suis Charlie.
The attack on the office of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has left 12 dead and several others injured. The terrorists were well trained. They were heavily armed with Kalishnikovs and sought out individuals by name. But, unlike the many previous operations that ended in the suicide of terrorists, this time they also had a getaway car waiting. French President Francois Hollande called it "an attack on free speech ". This incident brings out the question
"Is freedom of expression/speech absolute?"
Charlie Hebdo had a perfect right to publish caricatures that mock a particular religion, they had the right to do so in a free and liberal country like France. There is absolutely no doubt that there will be people who feel that the magazine was overly provocative and that they brought it upon themselves. Some people might also be of the opinion that there must be a limit to freedom and that they brought it upon themselves. Some people might also be of the opinion that there must be a limit to freedom and that there is nothing called freedom. My question would be is there a clear line where freedom of speech becomes offensive. What is offensive to one might not be offensive to another. The perspective varies.
A key clause in the United Nations universal declaration of human rights is that " Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers." As Charlie Hebdo was not forcing people to buy their magazines, they cannot be branded "offensive". The terrorists in the name of religion and through this attack have actually opened up these cartoons to a wider audience. We must not only support the right of people to express controversial opinions but be prepared to express them ourselves despite the intimidation.
Publishers and editors across the globe should honour the murdered staff of Charlie Hebdo by refusing to self censor. Nothing, including religion should be off limits. Free speech must not be silenced in the wake of these attacks.
Je suis Charlie.
Very good one Gokul...This issue of freedom of expression is something which we should debate and discuss thoroughly. Whether it is Charlie Hebdo or PK (movie) people of late have become intolerable with their religious sentiments.
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