The struggle of what not to say in our society is real. The gift of free speech that was fought for is trampled upon by an electronic generation.
Freedom of speech is the power or right to express one’s opinions without censorship, restraint, or legal penalty. Freedom of speech happens to be the most revolutionary idea ever conceptualized in the history of humanity and is the root of several innovative struggles and changes.
The first amendment of the United States Constitution in 1971 states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting or abridging the freedom of speech. This was the very first amendment(not the second or third). In Nigeria, Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution provides inter alia that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without interference.”
I mean, if even Nigeria can allow it (at least on paper), then that should mean that the right to free speech is the first and key right owed to humans.
So, what is affecting this basic human right? Normally, I would imagine the like of Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, or Idi Amin as our enemies. But, in this case, the enemy happens to be a digital and woke generation that values political correctness and subjectivity rather than objectivity.
Before I dive into the various issues affecting our right to free speech, I would like to inform you of its benefits. Just so you know the value slipping from our hands.
RELATED: Cancel Culture: An Organized Sort of Chaos
Positive effects of free speech
It is vital that we do not under-appreciate our right to free speech. We saw it as a norm and now when a very critical minority of society is threatening it, we don’t know where to turn. Here are a few points to remind you how important free speech is;
Engaged participation of inhabitants
It is impossible to separate democracy from the subject matter. In a world that encourages active and vigorous participation of its citizens in the country’s matters, it would only be right to enforce their freedom to express their opinions freely.
It is a criminal offense to attempt to cancel or censor a minor group due to their ideologies and opinions. Every opinion is worth consideration and deliberation to ensure the inhabitants of a particular state or country feel heard.
Accountability on the part of citizens
In a world of politically correct and incorrect words, people no longer say what they want to say. We all try to scrutinize every sentence that comes out of our mouths in order not to offend anyone.
We are creating a world of closed ideas and opinions, an artificial society. It is impossible to hold anyone accountable for their words when they are saying what they are told to say.
READ: Is Democracy the best form of Government in Nigeria?
Free speech drives revolution and innovation
Let’s all take a few minutes to reflect on revolutionaries, innovators, and world changers. The likes of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, John F Kennedy… the list goes on and on.
What do they all have in common? These are people with distinct ideologies that has fostered world development. They are among the greatest orators of all time. I don’t have to remind you of the famous “I have a dream…” speech by Martin Luther King Jr.
A fertile ground for change is possible when people enjoy this fundamental human right.
Promotes struggle for truth
It is crucial that we are presented with the opportunity to choose their truth and not enforce it on them. And yes, This includes if that truth negates your opinions. “My truth is not your truth”.
We must never take away the right of humans to pick what they follow and accept. Order and peace and assurance of a better posterity stand on this.
Parity among minority groups
A minority is a smaller number or part, representing less than half of the whole. Different minority groups make up the world. It doesn’t matter what your opinion is; there is a minority group for you. Perhaps, you are the only one with your opinion, you are a minority too. We all matter!
If we stick to the original idea behind free speech, all opinions should matter. Right or wrong should be decided upon after serious and detailed scrutiny. This helps to retain calmness and equality across all groups ensuring progress.
For every movement with good intentions, there will always be a minority with the aim to misuse the movement. Hence, the next discussion.
SEE: Prostitution: Sex Trafficking in Nigeria
Consequences of Free Speech
I know what you’re thinking; am I for or against free speech?
Remember, we are talking about free speech. Allow me to air my opinions.
Now, however noble the intention behind free speech might seem, it has some loopholes.
Defamation
This is a rampant issue in our society today. People use their privilege to taint the upheld image of others. Consideration of human feelings is vital; we are not human without our empathy.
Defamation is on an astronomical rise and we can thank technological evolution. This evolution promises faster information spread and a larger audience. The dawn of social media unmasked the presence of the iota of defamation in free speech.
There are two forms of defamation:
- Libel: This is a written form of defamation, a published false statement that is damaging to a person’s reputation. One might reason that libel has to involve a recognizable crowd, but it doesn’t.
Just one person reading a defamatory piece is punishable by law.
- Slander: This is an oral form of defamation, the yin to libel’s yang.
Libel carries serious weight compared to slander, and free speech or not, it should be curtailed. Defamatory pieces that cannot be backed by shreds of evidence shouldn’t see the light of day.
ALSO READ: Lagos: The Jungle
Chaos
“You can say whatever you want, whenever you want regardless of popular opinion without danger of legal penalty”
That there is what free speech promises and that sentence itself is chaotic. Total freedom is not a yardstick for wokeness and growth as a country. One should be accountable for the words that spew out of their mouth.
Free speech should never come at the cost of public disorder or human defamation. It is a priority to curtail any right that can disrupt public order and decorum. This leads me to my big question.
What is the assurance of freedom after free speech?
No assurance.
Freedom of speech might be free, but freedom after speech is not assured for anyone. Just like the line from Olamide’s song Eyan Mayweather, Freedom of speech dey I no go dull you, but freedom after speech, I can’t assure you, run your mouth at your own risk.
READ ALSO: Top Nigerian Artistes of the 2010s
This is a thriving social issue in our world today, as people are scared to air opinions because no one can ascertain the consequences.
Public figures and influencers in our world today such as Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Steven Crowder, and, dare I even say, Andrew Tate, etc. are all aware of the raging clamor to silence them, their ideologies, and their platforms.
With a selected minority group of the world deciding what should be free speech and not, it has become impossible not to offend almost every facet of life. This ruins the whole idea behind free speech, and we can only hope for better enforcement and legislators of this right.
So, is free speech really free?
Let’s round this up, shall we?
Free speech is not free. It is an oxymoron (you should have paid more attention in Literature class). Everything comes at a price. The appropriation of speech by the government is a massive inhibitor. The superiority of a minority to decide what should be said and not be said is a battle to fight.
After all is said and done, we shouldn’t encourage such. Free speech should remain free with consideration of human feelings and without fear. That is truly free speech.
