Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Truth, Collateral Damage

BY SANDY BOTTOMS ON CULTURE

Our Constitutional First Amendment guarantees our right to speak freely, and this is one of the greatest gifts of our forefathers. It can be bent, but never broken, and tested but never suppressed. However, while we have legal protections for expressing ourselves, there are nonlegal punishments and rewards for the persons who push the boundaries.

The man who shouted "Kill him" in reference to Barack Obama at a John McCain rally has been investigated by the FBI. I don't condone what the man said, but far be it from me to tell him he can't say it. There is nothing in the constitution telling us what we should and shouldn't say.

Let's look at a few other examples of the dangers of self-expression.

1. Abbie Hoffman's Steal This Book stirred up a controversy with its title. Never mind that the book itself teaches you how to make bombs and topple your government. Booksellers had big issues over the title itself, and were nervous to stock the book, for fear that customers would do exactly what it said to do on the cover. I bought the book two years ago for $14 at Border's and I felt silly.
2. The record industry was rocked in the late 80s and early 90s by rap lyrics. The warning label system became a way of warning consumers as to the explicit content in the music. The label has become ubiquitous on record covers, and has even become a status symbol, a badge of honor. Like the movie ratings system, the warning label becomes a great marketing tool, bringing an element of danger to the product. The shortsightedness of lawmakers in requiring these labels have consequently helped sell more records than ever before.
3. NC-17 ratings came about during the same times. The rating, unlike the warning on record covers, has become deadly to films. A film will have trouble getting a wide release and reaching an audience in theatres. The FCC has ways of punishing filmmakers and studios for content. They could not go so far as to block the film's release, but they can certainly prevent viewers from seeing it.
4. Political activism. During the Bush administration, many wrongful arrests have been made in anti-Bush protests. During the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, Mayor Daly instructed Police to use extreme force against peaceful street protesters. The threats and public announcements made by Daly were not enough to suppress the crowds and prevent the debacle, and many arrests, beatings, and mass tear-gassing resulted. The Ku Klux Klan is as free to hold rallies as anyone else, in public events that many people consider "the price we pay for free speech."
5. Political correctness. There are times and places for everything. This is what this social mechanism teaches us. In every institution, whether within a business, a school, or in the public media, there are issues of propriety and safety mechanisms to prevent open prejudices and offensive ideas from being spoken of.
6. The internet allows mass distribution of ideas from individuals, with no real regulation or restrictions. Activist groups, news groups, and artists are at liberty to spread their messages to the masses, with no interference from the FCC.
7. Political advertisements have become slanderous and dangerous. Freedom of Speech quite often becomes the Freedom of Truth. Swiftboating and outright lies now have a place within our political process, and a legitimate venue in the popular media. There are no holds barred in the media circus, it seems.

When free speech becomes intrusive, or when it falls upon the wrong ears, there is trouble. The idea is to persuade, to provoke, to help the listener change their mind, or understand the idea differently than before. And while we cannot stop the flow of ideas, there are always many forces at work to stifle and silence an individual voice or group of voices. The internet has put mass communication into the hands of the people, and it is no wonder that in these troubling times, many people find comfort and release in spreading their individual message.

But while we have strengthened and amplified our voices, the sheer numbers of disparate voices out there can breed a sense of distrust. The media has become slanted so far one way or another that many people are disillusioned with their news or opinion columns. When Free Speech becomes Free Truth, the listener becomes fatigued, and eventually turns it off.