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Is free speech free of responsibility?

http://tinyurl.com/yoscch

As always, serious responses requested.

The editor at The Rocky Mountain Collegian, at Colorado State posted a four word editorial "Taser this: F@-K Bush!" Granted, it is protected speech. However the paper relies on advertising to run and since the incident has lost $30,000 in revenue. Other student workers have had to take a 10% pay cut to keep the paper afloat.

My question is: While David McSwane will of course catch the brunt of the backlash from his four word exercise of his first amendment rights (He may be fired from the publication), other students who didn't utter the words or for that matter have veto power over them are being punished financially for his statement. Does David McSwane have a responsibility to those students who are suffering for his actions?

3 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Whilst I may agree with the sentiments of his vitriol against Bush, it is clear that those in power, positions of influence and particularly the mass media, have a duty, nay, obligation to maintain standards of public decency.

    The best outcome of his foolishness is the resultant protest by advertisers and their revenue flow. This in my view is the fundamentals of freedom.... He was free to be stupid and the advertisers were free to withdraw their support....

    Freedoms must be tempered by the natural laws of responsibility.

  • Enigma
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    Yes I believe it comes with responsibility but lets face it, this goes back to morals and principles in an immoral society. You know we don't even call each other ladies and gentlemen anymore. Rarely do you hear children address an adult as Mr or Mrs, let alone Sir or Ma'am. I don't think free speech was meant to be abused the way it is abused today. It's almost like there is an under current stirring that is pushing the envelope on issues of free speech and how far they can push it until something is done. We need to protect free speech but yes there needs to be limits. We also need to start teaching proper language and work on English in general. Have you ever noticed the horrendous grammar and spelling on this board? It's no wonder the British think our English is so bad. It is.

    BTW this was a good question. I guess it wasn't as good as something like, "Is Presinent Bush the wurse presinent we ever had en amerrica?"

  • No its not. I read this article on yesterday and while I agree that free speech requires everyone to say what they want, free speech also comes with being held accountable for your sayings.

    This guy could say anything about Bush he wants, but he should not be surprised of the consequences he have to deal with because of it.

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