It gives me little shock every time I realise I have lived long enough to see the world turned upside down. What was once regarded as an anodyne statement of f

It gives me little shock every time I realise I have lived long enough to see the world turned upside down. What was once regarded as an anodyne statement of fact has become increasingly contested and is even rejected by a sizeable section of society. That is, that free speech is a universal right, and a good thing. For a very long time, going back to the 19th century, at least, every British (and American) politician, or other public figure, would have agreed with Voltaire's position on freedom of speech: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". How times have changed.