Freedom of Expression - Meeting, Conway Hall, London, April 22nd

I went to the first meeting of the Freedom of Expression coalition on Saturday 22nd April. There were two sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. These two groups discussed what exactly is freedom of expression and are there limits? Peter Risden has impressed me with his ability to lead a discussion and move the campaign forward. However, I seemed to be in a minority when we discussed incitement to racial hatred and the limits on free speech. I have mostly believed that anything that is a given, i.e. that you’re black or a woman, gay or disabled should represent some limits to free speech, but only if you’re a public figure such as a politician, leader of a representative body or other authority figure. For example, when Iqbal Sacranie branded gay people harmful to society and full of disease, I found this homophobic and inappropriate for a public figure to say such abhorrent things. There is nothing more cruel than attacking someone for who they are and for something they have no choice about. So I still wrestle with this, but generally the group thought that the only limits on free speech should be incitement to hatred, even then there were doubts. I am happy to go along with this, but have a questioning mind about the consequences of such minimal limits. Voltaire would obviously say freedom of speech should be unrestricted. At the end of each session, we discussed the next way forward. Peter is going to type up the minutes and post them shortly, so everyone will get a chance to comment and join the steering group.

Key decisions:

1. Exhibition of the Danish cartoons to be shown and debated;
2. New campaign website to be setup shortly;
3. Regional meetings to follow.