How many people know the actual definition of “Hate Speech” under english law?
Question by : How many people know the actual definition of “Hate Speech” under english law?
In the United Kingdom, several statutes protect several categories of persons from hate speech. The statutes forbid communication which is hateful, threatening, abusive, or insulting and which targets a person on account of skin color, race, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. The penalties for hate speech include fines, imprisonment, or both. Came directly from the english government. From wikipedia and their source http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/1/contents
Their hate speech includes Citizenship status. At least here I am allowed say the word illegal alien and not get in trouble. Why do people still argue that it I am can say illegal alien and not get arrested. If I speak out about citizen status then I am “insulting” them. I believe that is the correct word under english law. But what say you?
@hungry hungry hypocrite. I guess that is what makes out countries and culture. Because as Americans we were founded on freedom of speech because if we are not allowed to say what we feel then we go from a Republic to a facist or communistic controlled state like china slowly but surely. In china they are not allowed to say anything against the government. They are still red.
Best answer:
Answer by straightshooter
Oh, now you’re an expert in English law? Give me a break. You have no idea what you’re talking about.
What do you think? Answer below!
Tags: actual, definition, English, hate, know, many, people, speech, under
Canada also has hate speech laws. Although they’ve never been used, they’re there.
Most European countries have hate speech laws and have since WWII. In many European countries Nazi symbolism is illegal.
Leave oppressive Europe and get to the states.
I suggest you read our fine English tabloid newspapers, especially the Daily Mail. You might find that publication hateful and racist enough even for your demanding tastes.
But it is true that the British do not regard freedom of expression as a value that trumps all others, as Americans do. The French and Germans, and some other European countries, have even tighter controls and more stringent anti-hate laws. They’re not wrong. They’re just not American. I’m quite happy to live in a country where people are held accountable for the consequences of things they say in a public forum.
Why is it always an American Conservative who gets SO outraged over these hate-speech laws?
I may not like what a person feels the need to say, but if they want to say it, whatever. I see these laws enforced abroad, I form a casual opinion, then I move on.
At the same time, it’s a guilty pleasure of mine to laugh when someone is fined or arrested for using racial slurs or giving the Sieg Heil. Their piggish behavior and my severe aversion to it definitely trumps my compassion for them when faced with this ”oppression.”
What’s your opinion on these Conservative and religious groups who whine constantly about ‘Glee?’ A cheerleader could so much as fart on an episode and they demand the show be cancelled. Are they out of line for protesting Ryan Murphy’s artistic vision, when they are perfectly within their rights and capability to either block the show or simply change the channel if they don’t want their children to watch it?
In many countries rights are bestowed by the government, and in such a system, the government can make laws that abridge free speech. The United States differs in that our rights are not given to us by the government, so the government is not free to enact laws restricting speech. Popular speech doesn’t need to be protected, only unpopular speech.