The Issues of Hate Speech and Harmful Speech Essay Example

believe that something might be true or false is hold a discussion the issues. Therefore to exclude this discussion is to prevent people from believing the truth. a discussion helps us consider other peoples view and this assists us to adjust our confidence in regard to the views we hold. Free speech is one of the many rights enjoyed by a democratic nation. It should not be restricted in compelling, extreme circumstances. Furthermore criminalizing views that are offensive and objectionable is the slippery path to bowdlerization and the censorship of the door to open debate. It risks preventing the real solution to hate speech which is mass education and open debates. Therefore hate speech should be challenged and protested not criminalized.

Harmful speech should be restricted. Harm occurs when we get hurt, our wellbeing are perturbed, offended and when our opinions are drastically limited. Any speech that may lead to lowered self esteem, increase the risk of discrimination and violence or thwart the interests of others may be considered as hate speech. But then many things may lead to loss of self esteem and thus blaming speech for loss of self esteem may be subjective and biased. In addition if someone practices discrimination and violence, we ought to punish these acts. Hate speech is an act of expression of hate and mere hateful views should not be criminalized. The most effective way of curbing hate speech is through education of the public of the effects of hate speech.