From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 7 February

Freedom of speech does not, by definition, grant you the right to be a loud-mouth; to slander, to defame, and to lie; to espouse absurd conspiracy theories.  It comes with a more onerous responsibility.

FREEDOM of speech was hard won, and demands respect, from all.

Based on the arguments of the English 17th century intellectual and metaphysical poet, John Milton, Section 16 of the Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT) states that:

Everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference.

Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of borders, whether orally, in writing or in print, by way of art, or in another way chosen by him or her.

Often, and erroneously, zealous defenders of the right to freedom of speech quote the 17th century French enlightenment writer and political philosopher, François-Marie Arouet, and better known as Voltaire, as the paragon for their cause. While the sentiment is splendid, Voltaire did not author, “I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it it.”

That quote is owned by the English writer, Evelyn Beatrice Hall, who wrote under the pseudonym S. G. Tallentyre, and is best known for her biography, The Life of Voltaire (1903), and, The Friends of Voltaire (1906). She was, as it happens, attempting to suppose what might have been Voltaire’s philosophy.

Also, there is an inherent danger in defending the freedom of speech through the prism of the 21st century.

When Milton and Voltaire were prosecuting their arguments, they had no inkling that, one day, the world would have mass print and social media. For their part, they made do with timber printing presses and pamphlets, many of which espoused revolutionary objectives.

We had no clue between 2004 and 2006, of what would be the impact of Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and the various other social medias outlets which have proliferated, and contaminated, the public dialogue. While there are many arguments in favour, it cannot be repudiated that providing the ill-informed, the misinformed, the ignorant, and the plain bloody stupid, with an unrestricted megaphone to the world has proven calamitous, and on numerous occasions, dangerous.

The former President Donald Trump’s use of social media is an alarming example of how a litany of self-serving lies, perpetuated with impunity, can bring the world’s leading democracy to the brink of political insurrection. Intriguingly, the Roman statesman, Marcus Tullius Cicero, portended the Roman Empire would fall when its citizens took to the streets in protest. History has proven him correct.

Disturbingly, several Australian politicians, including the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, have reasoned the blocking of President Trump’s various social media accounts is a breach of his right to the freedom of speech.

Under the prevailing circumstances, and given the lack of empirical evidence to support President Trump’s claims of wide-spread electoral fraud, such seemingly public support from a Minister of the Crown might be deemed ill-considered; and wittingly, or not, might be interpreted by those of President Trump’s followers as sign of support for their uprising.

We, all of us, take our democracy for granted. For the greater part we live unhindered lives. If we disagree we have the right to speak-out in protest. We expect our politicians to listen to the collective voice; to read the public mood; and to work, always, in the best interests of the people of Australia. Largely, we have reason to feel secure; also, we hold the ultimate weapon: our vote!

Social media is pernicious. It would be folly to ignore the United States’ experience. There are dark forces within our community; those who would seek to destroy our way of life. We need strict laws to protect people like us, from people like them.

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald each Monday at 10.45am on 3BA and contacted via [email protected].