Q&A: Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Speech
Question
A discussion in the media (theoretical, but definitely quite common).
Judah: The state should give up on the hostages, for the sake of victory.
Simon: You're not allowed to say such a thing. That's a horrifying and illegitimate statement.
Judah: I'm allowed to say it; I believe in freedom of speech.
Simon: I also, of course, believe in freedom of speech. And that includes my statement that you're not allowed to express yourself that way.
Judah: It's true that your very argument against me is permitted under freedom of speech,
but the content of what you're saying — "You're not allowed to express yourself that way" — contradicts the basic principle of freedom of speech.
Simon: If despite your belief in freedom of speech, you still argue that the content of what I'm saying (that you're not allowed to express yourself that way) contradicts freedom of speech,
then the content of the beginning of what you said (about the hostages) also contradicts freedom of speech.
Who is right?
Answer
Neither of them is right. Each one is expressing his position that something ought to be forbidden, and expressing that position does not contradict freedom of speech. Only an actual prohibition would contradict it. Expressing that position merely says that the speaker does not believe in unlimited freedom of speech. But there is no contradiction in that.