Is one country's freedom of speech superior to another country's? Assuming both have consti. guarantees?
Please state where you're from and explain your position. Avoid rants please.
2006-09-03T22:02:28Z
Assume that both have constitutionally protected freedom of speech in their own land. I'm asking because I keep reading answers that make a big deal about their freedom of speech like it's exclusive of something... Honestly curious what people think about this.
2006-09-03T22:03:53Z
exclusive OR something. not OF...my bad,
2006-09-03T22:06:29Z
RE: Richard B...that's my point...what makes you think that freedom is speech is protected only in America?
2006-09-03T22:09:05Z
I was trying to phrase the question neutrally to gauge the opinions of the Y!A community...that's all.
dominicotine2006-09-04T23:51:00Z
Favorite Answer
I'm Swiss. No, freedom of speech is the same in any country that bothered to include it in its constitution. However, some people, especially in the US, think that they're the only ones who are willing to protect freedom at all costs. I have no idea where they got this idea. Maybe they've been watching too many of their own movies. Maybe they haven't travelled outside their country unless they were off on some police mission on foreign soil.
If they could read newspapers in Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland, they'd be amazed at how much people can say against their own government and not be branded as subversive or unpatriotic.
The extent of freedom of speech in the USA was broadened by the Supreme Court in New York Times v. Sullivan. Libel actions are very difficult to win in the USA, and virtually impossible when the claimant is a public figure.
On libel, see http://www.mcspotlight.org
In Britain, people sue for libel over real and imagined insults, and sometimes win big money. Also the Press is far more constrained in reporting on criminal cases, and the Official Secrets Act is used to block (or to punish) publication of things that are embarrassing to the government as well as genuine secrets.
How can one country's freedom be superior to another? As an American, anyone in the world is free to speak their mind. There may be consequences to that speech. Only in America do we back up and guarantee our freedom of speech with law and force.
Your question needs clarification. The freedom of speech in the United States does not affect the freedom or lack of freedom of speech in another country. Don't confuse the freedom of speech afforded in the West with the freedom to protest cartoons in Iran, as an example. Please explain what you are looking for.