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Turkey to change free speech law
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| 10. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:41 pm |
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Quoting girleegirl: Why shouldn’t people be allowed to criticize their government? What harm is it for people to speak out if they have disagreements with their leaders? Strong governments and strong leaders should be able to withstand any criticism and let their actions stand as their defense. |
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| 11. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:45 pm |
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Quoting girleegirl: Why shouldn’t people be allowed to criticize their government? What harm is it for people to speak out if they have disagreements with their leaders? Strong governments and strong leaders should be able to withstand any criticism and let their actions stand as their defense. |
This is the point. Where does one draw the line between criticism and insult. To me, criticizing the government and even making funny charactures of politicians is acceptable !
But on the other hand, I am sure you all know Borat the comedy character, imagine if a western comedian created Tarkan the Turk and gave him all the characteristics of dudus and kebapci waiters, there would be a huge protest against the comedian. But for others, the character would genuinely be funny with no offence meant.
This is such a hard topic. I believe in freedom of speech through and through. But I believe the limits of freedom of speech come from within the human soul. You know inside yourself where the limits are, and this knowledge comes from education and tolerance. We need to start educating !
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| 12. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:47 pm |
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respect to all freedoms but just in limits
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| 13. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:51 pm |
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Quoting MrX67: respect to all freedoms but just in limits |
but you can't limit. I don't know if you read my previous post but in my humble opinion for freedom of speech it is all or nothing. Then we all have to hope that the majority of people, morally and from within their soul, know what the limits are. You can't legally create limits, that would defy the whole meaning of "freedom of speech".
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| 14. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:54 pm |
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I don't think this is a difficult topic at all. Someone is ALWAYS going to be offended by criticism of SOMETHING. You just cannot compromise this basic political and personal right at any cost. Doing that will only bring disasters and will grow crowds of mindless people... just look at Muslims today if you want a good example.
Where I would draw a line is hate speech or causing physical or material harm to people. In terms of the "emotional harm", people have to get some more self-confidence. Insecurity and lack of strong, rational response is what makes people offended. Only weak ideas have to be protected by force.
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| 15. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:57 pm |
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Quoting catwoman: I don't think this is a difficult topic at all. Someone is ALWAYS going to be offended by criticism of SOMETHING. You just cannot compromise this basic political and personal right at any cost. Doing that will only bring disasters and will grow crowds of mindless people... just look at Muslims today if you want a good example.
Where I would draw a line is hate speech or causing physical or material harm to people. In terms of the "emotional harm", people have to get some more self-confidence. Insecurity and lack of strong, rational response is what makes people offended. Only weak ideas have to be protected by force. |
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| 16. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 07:01 pm |
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People should be free to speak as they wish, as long as it doesn't become abusive or threatening. I personally feel this change in the law would make it less likely for Turkey to enter EU. This would not show a country united with their Government, This would just show a country almost bullied by their Government. Why would the EU want to take in a country that is controlling and forceful? I think the mindset lots of Turks have been raised with that "Turks are strong, Turks are the best" is unhealthy. It's good to be patriotic, but not to the point where you never question anything, and just be proud of your Country no matter what happens. It's ridiculous to try and control what people say about the Government, do they just want everyone to follow them , all with one mind and no opinions?
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| 17. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 07:05 pm |
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| 18. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 07:11 pm |
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What? which countries in the EU would make this legal?
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| 19. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 07:21 pm |
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Quoting yilgun-7: There are same/similar articles like 301 in EU countries national laws.
There is reciprocity principle in law and international diplomacy.
Everybody knows this politeness..
So what?
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I don't actually think there are. I went through the Polish Constitution to find something like this but...apparently we, the Poles are not as eager to impose love for our motherland on our folk. Oh, and what makes a huge difference although Poland is as Catholic as you are Muslim, we are guaranteed not to be forced to reveal our religion as you are (you have it in your ID, don't you?)
I think freedom of speech should not be limited if criticism is followed by arguments. To me, making something a taboo causes more fuss than discussing it openly. Besides, if a nation can't stand criticism, what kind of nation is it? One that ensures love by force? No,. thank you
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| 20. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 07:26 pm |
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Quoting Daydreamer: Quoting yilgun-7: There are same/similar articles like 301 in EU countries national laws.
There is reciprocity principle in law and international diplomacy.
Everybody knows this politeness..
So what?
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I don't actually think there are. I went through the Polish Constitution to find something like this but...apparently we, the Poles are not as eager to impose love for our motherland on our folk. Oh, and what makes a huge difference although Poland is as Catholic as you are Muslim, we are guaranteed not to be forced to reveal our religion as you are (you have it in your ID, don't you?)
I think freedom of speech should not be limited if criticism is followed by arguments. To me, making something a taboo causes more fuss than discussing it openly. Besides, if a nation can't stand criticism, what kind of nation is it? One that ensures love by force? No,. thank you |
Very well said indeed. I think along with Freedom of Speech, removal of religion on the ID cards must also be part of the package !
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