The spiked podcast 328: ‘The scale of censorship is insane’ | Greg Lukianoff on Britain’s speech police
Dec 30, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Greg Lukianoff, President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, shares insights on the alarming state of free speech in the UK, where arrests for online comments are rising. He critiques the harsh laws surrounding hate speech and the panic over misinformation that threaten personal liberties. Delving into the complexities of incitement and cultural differences in free expression, Lukianoff calls for open discourse, especially amidst campus censorship related to heated global issues.
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UK vs. US Free Speech
- In 2015-2016, Britain exceeded US Red Scare arrests for offensive online comments.
- This suggests Britain's free speech climate is worse than perceived, Greg Lukianoff argues.
Hate Speech as Censorship
- "Hate speech" is a successful pro-censorship campaign, argues Greg Lukianoff.
- Censoring hate speech hides true opinions without changing them, increasing polarization.
Incitement to Violence
- The claim that racist or far-right speech incites violence is used to suppress free speech.
- Greg Lukianoff questions the causal link between such speech and violent actions.
