The value of free speech on campuses and in media. It is key to a democracy and disappears in an autocracy.
The anger of some that opposing views, reports and lectures should not be permitted is a danger to democracy is a hot topic in the wake of the HAMAS invasion of Israel. FYI, we are still a democracy that permits free speech, so long as it does exhort violence or death dashes to a movie theater exit. Separating the wheat of truth from the chaff of spin or mistaking opinion pieces from actual reports, is a difficult practice these days with so many choices of news sources. It is central to democracy and a duty as citizens we have to make the effort to sort it out, as uncomfortable and difficult it has become.This blog is my opinion and conclusions gained from various sources, mixed with some personal experiences. I let you know what media sources and fact reporting influenced my conclusions. .
We should not rely solely on fringe media, social media, single point of ideology cable channels for facts. The more points of view you can get, even learning speculation and theory is a worthwhile practice. Taking assertions by either warring party needs to be taken with a healthy skepticism that demands verification or at least exposure of the
source.
That is the value of free speech. In a democracy, that is possible. In an autocracy, it is not,, because the media is under the control of the rulers. Rationale or even knee-jerk judgments and case-making become warped. The result is often an unpleasant surprise . (Didn't see that coming; too late to deal with it; must be the result of some secret cabal)..Imagine the only news you can get is FOX if MAGA becomes the all-powerful government ruler or MNBC is the only source of news since the government is in the autocratic hands of the control of social democrats.".. (In Hungary, the ruler forced out opposition papers and media by regulatory abuse; In Russia, the voice of any opposition is snuffed out by murder or imprisonment or near-death poisoning). In one sense, we are partially there since the version of truth and reality depends upon the algorithms of social media and a human desire to use the remote to hear/see only what the audience member feels is a comfort level. We self-silo ourselves. For that reason, mainstream media that presents "both sides" need to be praised, not damned, and educational institutions should not become one-sided.
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