What are the limits of free speech and cancel culture? | Peter Tatchell | IAI

@TatchellPeter discusses the debate over the right to free speech and legitimate reasons for 'cancelling' hate and prejudice.

When debating the right to free speech, we've always faced a dilemma. Do people have a right to say whatever they want for society to be truly democratic? Or should our priority be protecting those most vulnerable?

With today's cancel culture, our freedom of speech is being challenged more than ever. So where do we go from here? Legendary campaigner Peter Tatchell sets out his vision for reconciling free speech and cancel culture in today's world.

#PeterTatchell #LimitsOfFreeSpeech #CancelCultureDebate

@TatchellPeter is a human rights campaigner best known for his work with LGBT movements, a member of the gay rights group Outrage! and director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, a human rights organization. Peter also identifies as a humanist, believing that reason, science and ethics are the best way to promote human rights and welfare.

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[abdulkaderalsalhi]

If I had the right to cancel you, then, by the same "law", you have the right to cancel me. The action of the strongest will prevail. The "strongest" is not necessarily the "right".

[chuckdeuces]

It is simply a leftist issue. Just because you can name one 'right wing' news outlet who fired someone doesn't mean it's cancel culture... I love that this dude is getting his just due. Now he's up here and he's bragging about not being cancelled, he will for sure be cancelled and that's good.

[jonathanhaehnel]

Awesome speech, getting to the very detail of why sometimes it's okay to use all the might you have to cancel someone and sometimes not.

[thstroyur]

These discussions about 'free speech' are as productive as the proverbial 'How many angels fit in a headpin?'; obviously anybody is free to express whatever they want with their speech - what is always debated is the freedom of the State or whatever other authority to curtail that with consequences. BTW - ain't this a reupload?

[mrDM]

Is it "free speech" when I use my words to put someone else in a box?

Is it "cancel culture" when I'm told by my employer not to do something, but I do it anyway, and lose my job?

[donald-parker]

It always struck me as curious that speech, over other actions one might take, are considered to need special rights.

[DeathRayGraphics]

Tatchell says “suffi” muslims sometimes called for violence against shia muslims. I’m sure he meant “sunni”.

[jamesruscheinski]

End political government making choices for people; God focus human choice

[jamesruscheinski]

human choice decentralization; God focus centralization

[JW-esyo]

Instances where free speech should be restricted;

1) Making false, damaging allegations such as a person is a rapist, a tax fraud, a pedophile;

2) Words that amount to harassment, menaces, threats or intimidation;

3) Incitements to violence.

That sounds good except… free speech cannot be held hostage to ANY fear, even of violence. All of these things are punishable under law and should be.

Speech is either free or it is not.

God help us if thinking like this prevails, for it fear-based and suggests tyranny to combat mostly discomfort.

[jamesruscheinski]

substantive democracy choice for God's kingdom

[ryanmurdoch]

I mean you wouldn’t say I’m celebrating the N word culture. I’m celebrating N word human rights?

[emiliomartineztejeda]

So he is for cancel culture but only when it goes his way...

He looks surprised of being cancelled by his own kind. He expected to go around cancelling others without it backfiring because he is on the "right side" (the left), but that just shows he doesn't really understand cancel culture nor free speech.

[jamesruscheinski]

Political government / democracy / republic making choices for people focus can be overcome with God focus for human choice; kingship authority for priests and ministers; substantive human rights confederation