Staff Editorial Freedom of Expression

OPINION THE DRAWN

THIS EDITORIAL REPRESENTS THE VIEW OF THE LE JOURNAL STAFF. NINETEEN OUT OF 21 VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THIS VIEW.

In the wake of the attack at the Charlie Hebdo newsroom, the question of limiting freedom of expression is brought to the front line of discussion.

“Imagine all the people living life in peace” the timeless John Lennon lyrics rang through the crowd of thousands gathered at the Republique Square in Paris. Citizens young and old, French and foreign harmonized together sharing in the ballad of peace among all people in the wake of the killings in France. Is this government sponsored rally going to offend someone? Can people sing a song of passion, or is that too expressive? Where is the line?

The now infamous Al-Qaeda attack at the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine in France has sparked a century-long debate of where the line of expression should be drawn. A topic heavily rooted in France’s history dating back to pre-revolution, the freedom of expression, including the freedom of speech and religion, has been a cherished right and privilege of the people. The question at hand though is where the line should be drawn. When should freedom of expression be limited, or should it be limited at all?

Our right as people to have freedom of expression is a question that is always relevant. In whatever society we live in the application of that expression is where the idea becomes hazy in the combination of our morals with the law.

In the United States freedom of expression is a natural right, meaning we are born with it. Famous applications of this right are the protests performed by the Westboro Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech”, news platforms and any religious practice. With such ample opportunities to express our right there is no doubt that someone somewhere will disagree. The world is made up of some 7 billion people so if we were to aim to not offend all of those people we would have no rights at all.

When we start to limit our freedom of expression that are offensive to certain groups of people, where does that line end? Do we continue to limit our freedoms until everyone in the world is content with expressing nothing?

Death, war, attacks and hatred. These are all things that have come out of the practice of the freedom of expression throughout the world. They validate the argument that there should be a line drawn when we as people are expressing our beliefs. And in some countries that is currently a reality.

Neonazism in Germany is illegal. That is a line drawn in the right of freedom of expression in German law. One could argue that the people’s rights are being infringed upon, yet the world does not need to see the hatred of the Nazi party. The issue is the difference between government mandated limits and those placed upon by people.

The problem with drawing the line is that the mark would be different for every person, every society, every religion and in the end we would have no rights if the line was drawn for one group of people. It’s not the right of expression that has to change or be altered. It is the person that needs to work towards, as John Lennon said and the people of France sang out, “to live as one.”