In Defence of Freedom of Speech and Against the Publication of Certain Cartoons
This paper explores the concept of freedom of speech, as it relates to religion, focusing on recent European examples of tensions that surface secular mores and Islamic sensibilities, primarily the Charlie Hebdo incident. This paper argues that while offence to others does not breech free speech,...
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2015
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/80960 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/38976 |
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| Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | This paper explores the concept of freedom of speech, as it relates to religion, focusing on
recent European examples of tensions that surface secular mores and Islamic sensibilities,
primarily the Charlie Hebdo incident. This paper argues that while offence to others does not
breech free speech, when considering cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, we cannot
ignore the geopolitical context. Such images may perpetuate stereotypes and be perceived
as part of a neo-colonial project to denigrate minorities and the Muslim world. In particular,
Islamophobia and the post-colonial context provide a context wherein the Islamic “Other”
within Western societies is marginalised and often experiences oppression. Therefore, what
appears to be legitimate freedom of speech may actually be a discourse of suppression. The
paper also considers possible objections around individual autonomy and the power of
religion, and suggests principles when considering the limits of freedom of speech. |
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