The burden of free speech

I come from  a country where free speech is a common good and not even so much recognized as a right anymore. Everyone knows that they can say whatever they want, within reason of course. And that is the little snag! Within reason. First of all Free speech is not the same as being able to say whatever you like about whomever you like. There are rules and law that limit whatever you are allowed to say. A good example is the recent arrest of famous fashion designer John Galliano in France for uttering anti-Semitic words in a drunken rage. So insulting people, groups or races is not covered under the right to free speech. Free speech is a precious good that needs to be guarded against abuse.

Also free speech works two ways. If you believe in free speech than you should also be able to handle comments that disagree with your opinion.Free speech doesn't only mean dishing out but also taking one on the chin now and then.

Many people in Malaysia feel that there is a lack of free speech and they are absolutely right. The press is controlled by the current government and besides blogs and some web sites, the opposition has very few channels to spread their views. So the more the merrier! The opposition needs a voice and needs to be communicating with its followers.

However, many of these opposition sites and blogs, with free speech high in their banner, often go into rants about the current BN government, the ministers or any other pro-government issue or event. They often resort to ridicule or just plain slander and insult. However And the comments that the readers of these blogs make are often worse than what the contributors write. They call anyone who even slightly disagrees traitors, UMNO stooges etc. If you dare to put a comment with a dissenting opinion you will be called every dirty name in the book and you and your family will be cursed with every bad thing they can think of.

If that is how the opposition or its fanatic supporters see free speech, where is the improvement with the current censorship by the government?