4 ms·

where is free speech when it comes to Israel?

GiraffeNecktie 16y ago
"Free speech" doesn't mean you get to say whatever you want, wherever you want, and whenever you want. Fundamentally it just means that the government can't pass a law to prevent you from expressing your opinion. It in no way implies that every private venue (e.g. Facebook) is required to accomadate your opinions. The corollary to my free speech is that you have a right to not have to listen to me if you so choose.
- ArabGeek 16y ago
  well, criticizing Israel is part of free speech. the page was calling for uprising against Israeli occupation. how different is this from calling to oust corrupt Mubarak? why is it ok not to have a venue to criticize israel while it is ok to insult the prophet of islam?
  - GiraffeNecktie 16y ago
    All valid points but it would only be a free speech issue if Facebook was a government or publicly-supported institution. Mosques have the right to block Christians from proselytizing on their premises (and vice versa). That's not preventing free speech (they're still totally free to stand on a streetcorner and vent), it's giving the guy who owns the private property the right to use it the way he wants. People often misinterpret free speech as meaning they get some kind of universal pass but free speech actually has very specific limits (and for good reason).
    - ArabGeek 16y ago
      do not compare facebook to a church or a masjed, facebook is a social media platform where we all from different religions and background come together share news and opinions. blocking one voice against the occupier, favoring anti islam stuff while censoring anti -israeli occupation voices is a racists move
- DjDarkman 16y ago
  > It in no way implies that every private venue (e.g. Facebook) is required to accomadate your opinions. If Facebook is a communication medium it must not hinder free speech.
  - sorbus 16y ago
    If Facebook is a common carrier, than that is true. However, it is not, and if you read through the TOS you'll find that they're able to censor whatever they want.

"Free speech" doesn't mean you get to say whatever you want, wherever you want, and whenever you want. Fundamentally it just means that the government can't pass a law to prevent you from expressing your opinion. It in no way implies that every private venue (e.g. Facebook) is required to accomadate your opinions. The corollary to my free speech is that you have a right to not have to listen to me if you so choose.

ArabGeek 16y ago
well, criticizing Israel is part of free speech. the page was calling for uprising against Israeli occupation. how different is this from calling to oust corrupt Mubarak? why is it ok not to have a venue to criticize israel while it is ok to insult the prophet of islam?
- GiraffeNecktie 16y ago
  All valid points but it would only be a free speech issue if Facebook was a government or publicly-supported institution. Mosques have the right to block Christians from proselytizing on their premises (and vice versa). That's not preventing free speech (they're still totally free to stand on a streetcorner and vent), it's giving the guy who owns the private property the right to use it the way he wants. People often misinterpret free speech as meaning they get some kind of universal pass but free speech actually has very specific limits (and for good reason).
  - ArabGeek 16y ago
    do not compare facebook to a church or a masjed, facebook is a social media platform where we all from different religions and background come together share news and opinions. blocking one voice against the occupier, favoring anti islam stuff while censoring anti -israeli occupation voices is a racists move
DjDarkman 16y ago
> It in no way implies that every private venue (e.g. Facebook) is required to accomadate your opinions. If Facebook is a communication medium it must not hinder free speech.
- sorbus 16y ago
  If Facebook is a common carrier, than that is true. However, it is not, and if you read through the TOS you'll find that they're able to censor whatever they want.