Best of the Spectator The Book Club: What Is Free Speech?
Apr 9, 2025
Fara Dabhoiwala, a scholar and author of 'What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea', dives into the intriguing history and contemporary debates surrounding free speech. He shares his own ‘cancelled’ experience, discusses the origins of free speech, and reveals the contrasting models between the Anglosphere and Nordic perspectives. Exploring the Enlightenment's complexities, Fara highlights marginalized voices in the free speech conversation and delves into how social power dynamics shape our understanding of freedom today.
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Inspiration for "What Is Free Speech?"
- Fara Dabhoiwala was inspired to write his book after experiencing censorship.
- He faced backlash for quoting a poem with explicit language on BBC Radio 3 and was de-platformed from speaking at a church.
The Real Origin of Free Speech
- Thomas Jefferson's famous free speech quote wasn't his own.
- He was quoting a lesser-known figure, Thomas Gordon, highlighting the complexity of free speech origins.
Cato's Letters and Free Speech
- Cato's Letters, written by Thomas Gordon, proposed a new theory of free speech.
- This theory was radical for its time, emphasizing free speech as a foundation of liberty against potentially corrupt governors.