A Lot About The Free Speech Union

[Paigntonian]

on Newsnight tonight. I joined. Maybe fellow ABers might be interested as I'm sure we must all agree with free speech.

[ichkeria]

Here for example is one reason why I won't be signing up:

"If you find yourself being targeted by a digital outrage mob on social media for having exercised your legal right to free speech, we may mobilise an army of supporters."

That is right at the top: so their first thought perhaps is simply to defend people with controversial views on social media by rousing an equally loud group of controversial social media folk to be equally controversial or at least loud, thus just increasing the general noise of battle between keyboard warriors.
I don't consider myself someone with controversial views that need defending by such people, even for £0 a week never mind a fiver.

[Ellipsis]

Perhaps Piers should join. Perhaps he already has. It would be comforting to know your subscription fees were supporting him and his views.

[Khandro]

//Here for example is one reason why I won't be signing up://

A great sigh of relief from Toby Young!

[naomi24]

//we may mobilise an army of supporters." //

That bothers me too. I'd prefer a more sensible approach.

[THECORBYLOON]

"Are you insinuating they wouldn't accept it? Do you have any proof of this hypocrisy?"

It is a simple enough question.

[Paigntonian]

Thanks all. Good to see that a few others have joined.

[sevenOP]

"I wonder what the FSU would do if one of their members were critical of the FSU?"

Reminds me of the question, "what would happen if a democracy freely voted overwhelmingly to cease being a democracy?"

[david small]

Speech has never been free. Look at Galileo, and yet it moves. Many an opinion has been stifled by death.

[10ClarionSt]

We all do agree with free speech, but you can't talk freely about Covid if you disagree with the govt actions. Well, not on this site, anyway. It's tanatmount to blasphemy. I think I'm top of the list to be boiled in oil or something like that. I suppose it would ensure I didn't get Covid. That's a definite!!!! :o)

[Theland]

The, ''army of supporters,'' is simply a phrase to describe many people who support free speech, and wish to defend it against the attacks from Wokeists, Snowflakes, Social Justice Warriors, cyber censorious bullies, and other such dangerous people.

[sevenOP]

"We all do agree with free speech..."

So maybe someone can define it then ?

[pixie374]

Theland //The, ''army of supporters,'' is simply a phrase to describe many people who support free speech, and wish to defend it against the attacks from Wokeists, Snowflakes, Social Justice Warriors, cyber censorious bullies, and other such dangerous people.//

They are just as entitled to free speech.

[Khandro]

//"We all do agree with free speech..."

So maybe someone can define it then ?//

You'll know exactly what it is when someone shuts you down for making a fair comment.

[sevenOP]

free speech = "You'll know exactly what it is when someone shuts you down for making a fair comment."

I asked for a definition, not some vague opinion.

[Khandro]

Amnesty sums it up well;
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/free-speech-freedom-expression-human-right

[sevenOP]

Khandro, is Holocaust denial in the UK free speech ?

[pixie374]

It's freer in some places than others... :-)
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/AB-Editors-Blog/Question1735308.html

[Khandro]

//is Holocaust denial in the UK free speech ?//
I think it is stupid, flies against the facts, but it is probably considered freedom of speech in the UK, particularly since it regained its independence.

[sevenOP]

'free speech' IS hard to define, as your Amnesty International 'ifs and buts, with a few maybes' illustrates.
I go for a simpler definition; if you are free to say it you should freely explain why you said it.

[Theland]

Pixie - Yes they all have a right to free speech.
The difference is that they want to close is down, even criminalising us.