3 ms·

Any references?

by hmottestad 14y ago

Any references?

dagw 14y ago
References to what? The fact that Europe has lots of laws restricting free speech?
- hmottestad 14y ago
  Europe has almost no laws. We are not like the US. The EU does enforce a bunch of laws. So does the EEA. So I would like a good example of a law from a european country that is not the UK or eastern europe.
  - ubernostrum 14y ago
    Try publishing information about a criminal trial, or about an auction of WWII memorabilia, in "almost no laws" places like France or Germany, and let me know how it goes.
    - sergiosgc 14y ago
      Criminal trials, in much of Europe, are protected by privacy of justice laws, until the proceedings are complete. Then, the information is free. I view that as a good thing, as it prevents mob justice on the media. Let the courts decide, on their own timing, we can analyse the result later; instead of condemning someone in the public view, only to find out later she is an innocent with a forever tarnished reputation.
      - redblacktree 14y ago
        You didn't address the WWII memorabilia. Also, are you free to say that the holocaust didn't happen?
        sergiosgc 14y ago
        I am in Europe and, yes, I'm free to deny the holocaust publicly and I'm free to sell WWII memorabilia. Portugal does not suffer from public order problems with neo nazi groups. It will take probably one more generation for Germany to be able to lift those restrictions. WWII was a big event, and it is emotionally charged still today. I think their approach to limiting free speech is an extraordinary measure to deal with extraordinary circumstances. It is not an easy decision, was heavily discussed among Germans, and is widely accepted by the population. While not ideal, it's acceptable and well managed. And limited in time.
  - mayneack 14y ago
    So which country are you talking about then?
  - jasonlotito 14y ago
    30 seconds into Wikipedia: > So I would like a good example of a law from a european country Germany "Insulting of Faiths, Religious Societies and Organizations Dedicated to a Philosophy of Life if they could disturb public peace (Section 166)." On topic, Switzerland tried to censor essentially the same thing (livestock farming practices) and was sued for it. They lost.
  - mattsfrey 14y ago
    As despicable as it may be, you will be jailed in Germany for espousing anti-Semitic views or denying the Holocaust etc, and in Britain you can be jailed for "hate speech" e.g. making racist statements. Personally I think it is insane that you can literally be jailed over speech, regardless of how unsavory it is. Canada has the hate-speech law as well.

Any references?

dagw 14y ago

References to what? The fact that Europe has lots of laws restricting free speech?

hmottestad 14y ago
Europe has almost no laws. We are not like the US. The EU does enforce a bunch of laws. So does the EEA. So I would like a good example of a law from a european country that is not the UK or eastern europe.
- ubernostrum 14y ago
  Try publishing information about a criminal trial, or about an auction of WWII memorabilia, in "almost no laws" places like France or Germany, and let me know how it goes.
  - sergiosgc 14y ago
    Criminal trials, in much of Europe, are protected by privacy of justice laws, until the proceedings are complete. Then, the information is free. I view that as a good thing, as it prevents mob justice on the media. Let the courts decide, on their own timing, we can analyse the result later; instead of condemning someone in the public view, only to find out later she is an innocent with a forever tarnished reputation.
    - redblacktree 14y ago
      You didn't address the WWII memorabilia. Also, are you free to say that the holocaust didn't happen?
      - sergiosgc 14y ago
        I am in Europe and, yes, I'm free to deny the holocaust publicly and I'm free to sell WWII memorabilia. Portugal does not suffer from public order problems with neo nazi groups. It will take probably one more generation for Germany to be able to lift those restrictions. WWII was a big event, and it is emotionally charged still today. I think their approach to limiting free speech is an extraordinary measure to deal with extraordinary circumstances. It is not an easy decision, was heavily discussed among Germans, and is widely accepted by the population. While not ideal, it's acceptable and well managed. And limited in time.
- mayneack 14y ago
  So which country are you talking about then?
- jasonlotito 14y ago
  30 seconds into Wikipedia: > So I would like a good example of a law from a european country Germany "Insulting of Faiths, Religious Societies and Organizations Dedicated to a Philosophy of Life if they could disturb public peace (Section 166)." On topic, Switzerland tried to censor essentially the same thing (livestock farming practices) and was sued for it. They lost.
- mattsfrey 14y ago
  As despicable as it may be, you will be jailed in Germany for espousing anti-Semitic views or denying the Holocaust etc, and in Britain you can be jailed for "hate speech" e.g. making racist statements. Personally I think it is insane that you can literally be jailed over speech, regardless of how unsavory it is. Canada has the hate-speech law as well.