WikiPedia.org – Freedom of speech is being able to speak freely without censorship. The right to freedom of speech is guaranteed under international law through numerous human-rights instruments, notably under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, although implementation remains lacking in many countries. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes preferred, since the right is not confined to verbal speech but is understood to protect any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.
What is Right? – WikiPedia.org In the jurisprudence and the law, a right is the legal or moral entitlement to do or refrain from doing something, or to obtain or refrain from obtaining an action, thing or recognition in civil society. Rights serve as rules of interaction between people, and, as such, they place constraints and obligations upon the actions of individuals or groups (for example, if one has a right to life, this means that others do not have the liberty to kill him).
Just recently, A boy wearing blasphemous T-Shirt is charge with offensive behavior in Australia under the Summary Offences Act 2005 for public nuisance.
A GOLD Coast teenager who wore a T-shirt by English extreme metal band Cradle of Filth that reads ’Jesus is a c**t’ has been charged with offensive behaviour.
Teen arrested for ’blasphemous T-shirt’
Above the offensive slogan a nun is depicted masturbating.A 16-year-old was arrested on Monday for wearing the shirt and was charged with offensive behaviour under the Summary Offences Act 2005 for public nuisance.
Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway said the teen was walking along Hollywell Road, in Biggera Waters, when a officer saw him.
Police conducted inquiries at Australia Fair, where the teen said he bought the shirt, to find any shops selling it.
The Reverend Matt Hunt of the Helensvale Baptist Church said it was sad people spoke about the Lord in such a way.
“It’s fairly common language these days to express sadness, anger or hurt,” he said. “It’s a degrading word to use and Jesus is anything but that. It’s like calling white black.” Read full story here…
What about freedom of speech? Where’s the freedom of expression? He’s just expressing his belief you may say. Yes! He is given a right on freedom but expression but not a privilege to degrade others.
Misconception on Freedom of Speech, others think the can do anything because the have a freedom of expression. This is also the reason why many people are being charged by Libel because of this so called freedom of speech.
We’re given a right to live so one one has a liberty to take it right? Well except those who are given a privilege to do so. Huh!? Consider convicted criminal for example. By law, he has a right to live, that is if he is not sentence to death.
Senators, if i’m not mistaken, can’t be charged of anything when on a senate meeting inside the senate hall. Now we’re talking of true Freedom of Speech! But it’s not just a right, they’re given a privilege.
Having a freedom of speech doesn’t mean we can do anything without facing any consequences. We can’t always reason out our right on freedom of expression because it has it’s own limitation.
I, myself, do not undestand how far our right on freedom of speech go. But one thing is clear to me. Next time I’m going to open my mouth – I’ll think twice before saying it.
Freedom of expression is an innate right. Each of us should not be denied to express their thoughts and opinions. However, just like anything else, freedom of expression has its own boundary. The boundary lies when somebody else’s rights are being placed into compromise.
Comment by Den Relojo — August 30, 2008 @ 1:39 am