By Paul Surtees
China Daily (Asia) / Asia News Network

There is much to be said in favour of exercising your right to free speech, a cherished and very valuable right which is unfortunately far from being readily available to most citizens in many other parts of this troubled world of ours.
However, it is posited that this very right to free speech should in all reasonableness be limited, by not extending to words that put others in danger or distress.

It has famously been said to be unacceptable to shout “Fire!’’ in a crowded indoor place, for example — for obvious reasons of physical safety.

So, this right to free speech is capable of being abused, and often is. And, as with all rights, responsibilities (here meaning limitations) should properly be linked to its exercise.

We may ask ourselves if those who malevolently choose to post on the various forms of social media grossly inflammatory, aggressive, abusive, untrue, hurtful, racially prejudiced, sexually-prejudiced, and/or nationally or religiously intolerant views should any longer be permitted to do so anonymously and freely.

Sometimes these activities even extend to obscenity, blasphemy, or financially, socially or sexually predatory activities.

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