‘Free speech is everybody’s right’: People’s freedoms ‘under threat’ by censorship

Author Michael Shellenberger says free speech is “everybody’s right” and there are only a small number of cases where governments can restrict people’s comments.
Mr Shellenberger said governments can restrict comments about fraud, incitement of violence and child exploitation.
“We need to remind people that these freedoms we have taken for granted are really under threat and those include the right to disagree, to be disagreeable, and even to offend people,” he told Sky News Australia.
“That’s absolutely a protected right and one that we should demand to be protected."

[@chrisstevens463]

The only things that need to be fact checked are the words( lies) that excrete from the mouths of politicians.

[@daz7122]

Pretending we live in democracy again.

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

DUMBOCRACY

[@murrayslee911]

Protect the citizens human right for free speech and having cash in our pockets.

[@kerravon4159]

Who fact checks the fact checkers? Who gets to define what constitutes "misinformation"? Freedom of speech should be forever enshrined in Australia's constitution.

[@InhumanCondition-gh2qj]

quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

[@goosecouple]

How will Australians protect their Free Speech? Use pitchforks ???

[@Kwesekara1672]

@@InhumanCondition-gh2qjThat’s the burning question.

[@Kwesekara1672]

@@goosecoupleThat’s what it’ll come down to considering the citizenry has already been disarmed by government. Only the criminals kept their guns.

[@lostinspace699]

Where are all these Angels ,,, Government's Printing, Money ,working with the Banks , devaluing the dollar.. cooking there owen books,,, and living like Emporia's , Lieing ,about following USA , in wars that have killed over one hundred thousand civilians most of them children ,,,Developed country .......with a thousand more regulations to come , and more government ,,,,

[@mikespike2099]

🎶 “Its Albo’s voice, try and understand it 😜 🎶 “Aussies who don’t want Albanese Apartheid make some noise and make it clear” “NO , Nooooooooooo We're not gonna sit in silence We're not gonna live with fear No, noooooooo” 🎶 😅 👍🏻 🇦🇺

[@richardlove4287]

Here is my pledge….if I didn’t vote for it, I won’t be complying. This goes for politicians too, if I didn’t vote for you, you do not represent me. I will not comply…ever.

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Got that right

[@OpinionFactChecker]

That's why I don't vote in the Federal election,I will not endorse any of them. When we vote, we are signing a contract to obey!

[@awc900]

Misinformation/disinformation legislation brought to you by the biggest purveyors of it. Makes a lot of sense.

[@leonharrison800]

Exactly. Sky News is garbage.

[@howunacceptibleofme2145]

Yep sure does

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Tyranny trick #1

[@patrussell8917]

Sly censorship been in full swing for several years pre covid Who or what has the right to censor anyone's thoughts opinions desires if differing from censor bases Control is the byword

[@herbertvonsauerkrautunterh2513]

Who the hell are the RMIT get checkers? I will check my own facts and don't need anyone else to do it for me.

[@rexcooper3365]

An exposed cell of left-wing activists. They dominate syllabus & curriculum boards and invent shit to give their mates jobs like "gender studies", which barely deserves a mention on the back of a cereal box, let alone have a FACULTY to legitimise the whimsical foolery. 🔔🔔 SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

[@davidjohn8589]

Peta Credin was just telling the truth on Albanese lies and he did not like it well done Peta kick Albo's ass VOTE NO

[@rajasingamghanasan3134]

Now days no words..earth running out time do something humans.

[@goosecouple]

How will Australians defend their Free Speech? Use pitchforks ???

[@rexcooper3365]

As long as they don't start charging. Can barely afford power & rent!

[@Howdydoody23]

MISS information has brought despair to to many good men. Chin up fellas. Knowing the truth doe’s heal.

[@johns1665]

Here in the US, we are facing the same threats to our freedoms. I'll say it again, my rights are not negotiable, as in non-negotiable. As guaranteed by the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, these documents will tell you that. My rights shall not be infringed.

[@johnrider7619]

Its creeping communism

[@starhope9630]

Yeah - they already took everyone's guns...next is to remove free speech and to get more power and control of everyone using 'The Voice'.

[@ACDZ123]

Fabian Socialists

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

DUMBOCRACY FREEDUMB

[@starhope9630]

@@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc You think democracy and freedom are dumb? 🤦‍♂

[@nicholasaird8420]

I wonder if labour realises they will be caught up in there own agenda or will they exempt themselves

[@decolonizeEverywhere]

Because they're going to fact-check themselves?

[@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL]

*labor

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

FREEDUMB

[@smithshaun33]

How is it Meta and ABC share a similar logo? Close to being breach of copyright UNLESS there is an agreement of mutual benefit....

[@L.A_S7r4y]

We used to be a tough country

[@starhope9630]

Now it's run by wanna be communists.

[@ACDZ123]

That Australia died with the 80s

[@caveyful]

I get all my news from Sky coz they are the only news source that allow me to post a comment and my policy is if the posters of news are not interested in hearing my comment, then I am not interested in hearing theirs. Comments are the last bastion of democracy we have.

[@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL]

Labor have turned into Commies.😂

[@jan_darysh]

I oppose this movement because it erases the truth

[@vinceelliott4362]

Bring on the inquiry.

[@stevewiles7132]

Just because you disagree with what someone says, does not give you the right to censor that person, if that person turns out to be wrong, or has made things up, then they will be found out, but they have the right to have an opinion.

[@debraodonnell]

Tell that to utube

[@isomorph7954]

Michelle Rowland rejected Sky's interview request. Hmm, there's a pattern emerging here.

[@grege1298]

The Ministry of Truth. Quick, get my Newspeak Dictionary. “Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought?"

[@jillfield3102]

As long as you speak the truth that should be ok .

[@lukeaaron5588]

Politicians actually fit the description for misinformation

[@brathernumzy]

we don't have the right to free speech in Australia , we don't even have a bill of rights

[@lonnie224]

We have a right to freedom of expression in Australia.

[@JescaML]

You do however have human rights. Bill of rights is an American law humanrights.gov.au/our-work/rights-and-freedoms/freedom-information-opinion-and-expression

[@brathernumzy]

@@lonnie224 Nope , we don't . We only have a implied right to freedom of political communication as an indispensable part of the system of representative and responsible government established by the Constitution

[@lonnie224]

I think its time Australians remember that politicians work for us. Not us for them.

[@JescaML]

@@lonnie224 they want total control under a one world government rule.

[@shubbz87]

is this a start to a social breakdown period? what are we suppose to be leave?

[@christinawilson4155]

Yes, the RCMP should investigate!

[@robinterry8242]

“ RIGHTS to FREEDOM “ Unalienable Rights are the Inherent, Sovereign, Natural Rights that existed before the creation of the State, and which, being antecedent to and above the State, can never be taken away, diminished, altered,or liened upon by the State, subject only to the Due Process of the Common Law. Nor can any Unalienable Right be fundamentally removed, whether mistakenly by contract through non-disclosure, which is fraud and unenforceable in Law, or knowingly by renunciation, which is contrary to Natural Law. The Original, Permanent, Unalienable Rights of every Man or Woman, include: The Right to Life, Freedom, Health, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Right to Contract, or Not to Contract, is Unlimited. The Right to Earn a Living by being Compensated with Wages, a Salary, or any Trade Goods, in Fair Exchange for one's Work The Right to Travel in the Ordinary Course of one's Life and Business. The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality, free from Unwarranted Invasion. The Right to Control, and Hold one's Property, Lawfully without Trespass. The Right to Self - Defence when threatened with Harm, Loss, or Deceit. The Right to Due Process of Law, with Notice and Opportunity to Defend. The Right to be Presumed Innocent, suffering No Detention or Arrest, No Search or Seizure, without Reasonable Cause. The Right to Remain Silent when accused, to avoid Self-Discrimination. The Right to Equality in the Eyes of the Law, and to Equal Representation. The Right to Trial by Jury, being an Impartial Panel of One's Peers. The Right to Appeal in Law against Conviction or Sentence, or both. The Right to Expose Knowledge necessary to one's Rights and Freedoms. The Right to Peaceful Association, Assembly, Expression, and Protest. The Right to Practice a Religion, and to have Beliefs, of one's Choosing The Right to Love, and to Consensual Marriage, with Children, as a Family. The Right to Security, from Abuse, Persecution, Tyranny, and War. The Right to Refuse, to Kill, under command, by Reason of Conscience. The Right to Live, in Peace, and be left alone when Law Abiding. Surely, the most Critical Failure of the People is their failure to ensure the Teaching and Common Knowledge of their Unalienable Rights. If you do not know your Rights, you effectively have none. By the Path of Ignorance, whether by Apathy or Deception. The People arrive in a State of Exploitation, Oppression, and Tyranny. Silent Citizen TEMPLATE 2 FREEDOM A document Open for debate and general discussion 1.LAW & ORDER. The law courts will revert to the practice of Common Law only where all citizens are treated equally under the law and innocent until proven guilty. Admiralty Law and Sharia Law and the use of Legalese Language will not be permitted to be used in the courts. 2. REMUNERATION. Salaries for all government employees and politicians start at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 times the minimum wage. 3. GOVERNMENT SERVICES and UTILITIES. Government service contracts that have been outsourced to private companies, corporations, trusts, and foundations will become null and void. The management of all government departments’ services and utilities will revert to internal administration. 4. REGISTERED CORPORATIONS. Individual members of parliament and political parties who are registered corporations will have their registration in the public arena become null and void and a by-election will be held. Also, any government departments civil or legal who are operating with a registered tax file number or are registered as a corporation will cease this practice immediately. 5. TAXATION. 5% with no tax deductibles. This tax applies to all citizens, private companies, public companies, corporations’ trusts, foundations, and churches, no one is exempt from this tax. 6. EDUCATION. Education will be free to all citizens including universities. 7. HEALTH. Universal health care for all citizens. 8. SUPERANNUATION & RETIREMENT FUND. Minimum wage. All retirement payments currently being paid out of the public purse will revert to this payment. Any free travel internal or international or other tax-funded payments will cease immediately. 9. PUBLIC HOUSING. Is the responsibility of the government which has an obligation to make sure all citizens have affordable housing. 10. FREEDOM of the PRESS. The right of the public to know is paramount to a healthy and democratic process. 11. SOCIAL MEDIA. All comments made on social media are the responsibility of the person making them. Any subject where the language used does not threaten life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness then the right to FREE SPEECH shall remain. 12. FOREIGN OWNERSHIP. Foreign citizens cannot own rural or residential property: those who do will have three months to sell, otherwise, those properties will go up for auction proceeds to be paid to the owner. 13. GENETICALLY MODIFIED TECHNOLOGY. The use of GM in the food chain will not be permitted. E.g., Wheat Grain Corn all Livestock. 14. WATER. All management contracts that have been granted to private companies and corporations will become null and void and revert to local government administration. Water is not to be traded as a commodity on any exchange: all contracts in place will be terminated immediately. 15. RESERVE BANK. The printing of money and government financial services that have been outsourced to private companies or corporations will become null and void and revert to a government-managed RESERVE BANK. A ten-year audit will be conducted on the accounts of the companies who have been responsible for this service. 16. COVID 19 No government, health professionals, or politicians has the power to mandate any medical procedure. This LAW was brought into existence after the Second World War at the Geneva Convention in response to War Crimes committed by the Nazis against the Jewish population. Those in political office, civil servants, medical health professionals, health service providers, law and order and other persons who have been part of the decisions made regarding covid19 pandemic shutdowns will have their accounts and bank statements audited. 17. CASH. A cashless society is not an option. An electronic payments system ONLY would allow banks, politicians, and big businesses the option to dictate the final outcome of any economic future. Merchants cannot refuse to be paid in cash. 18. POST OFFICE. Government post office networks shall be issued a banking license where banks have closed their operations. FREEDOM is a GLOBAL CURRENCY you can add value. This template can be used as the basis for a political campaign. Any other social, political, or economic concerns that may be relevant to a particular constituency can be added.

[@Verifyourage]

Libertarians do as they please as long as it does not effect others, that means no lying. . Conservatives Promote freedom of speech also, the freedom to lie.

[@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL]

Freedom to lie is better than not being able to speak at all. Disinformation laws will be abused.

[@StuartBarclay-rm3cj]

We need a referendumB for Australian Rights such as Free Speech for everyone rather than a Voice for a Few rather than Labor's Misinformation Laws. Ironically these Misinformation Laws will not apply to the Government such as Dan Andrews Commonwealth Games plus I can't remember and Albo reducing the cost of living plus electricity prices. If Labor was a business they would be charged with false advertising.

[@shadowspace99]

U got to stand up for your rights or loose them. That goes for everyone in the world.

[@tedprice5828]

We should investigate fat checkers

[@decolonizeEverywhere]

Wow, starting to sound like the US. Does Big Brother have a nosey baby brother?

[@tedprice5828]

Miss information is no longer a female It includes males as well

[@kimberlybanufong5423]

The same script is worldwide. Should people stop paying taxes #OnlyJesusSaves

[@Kwesekara1672]

What is the definition of misinformation or disinformation?

[@JanKozak-ww6zz]

No lajf

[@dreadnought2024]

"Fact Checkers" Big warning!!!

[@user-vu1lb6qb3z]

Assange no subs yes.

[@JesusSaves-mr3hp]

How to go to Heaven We have all sinned against God’s 10 commandments and need to be saved from hell. To be forgiven of all your sins by God, believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for your sins and rose again. All you must do to go to Heaven is believe that Jesus paid for all your sins. We cannot earn our way to Heaven by our good deeds. The Bible says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). In conclusion, you can only go to Heaven by believing that Jesus paid for all your sins when he died and rose again. Our good deeds do not earn us Heaven. Do you believe you are saved by grace & promised heaven because Jesus died for you? Yes__ No__.

[@builderofman7057]

I'll be honest, no. What we choose to do dictates what (if anything) we get in the end. I don't like worship & prayer, too brown nosey in my opinion. I choose to do 'good' for 'good' people because it'll benefit 'everyone' in the end. With everything I have been given I don't 'dare' ask for anything, personally.

[@howunacceptibleofme2145]

Another one who's going to be awfully disappointed when he / she dies ...

[@goosecouple]

No. If it was that easy, every FJB would also go to heaven.

[@ocevicheband502]

No. Not the human miniture god.

[@rexcooper3365]

Sorry... no mythical beings here thanks. You ratbags have a demonstrated history of sustained misinformation and are overrepresented by hypocritical child predators, protected and encouraged by the silence of colleagues. No divine resting place, sorry. Just the endlessness of nothing.

[@locustsandhoney486]

THE INTERNET IS COMMERCIAL IN NATURE. COMMERCE DOES NOT GET FREE SPEECH. SORRY.

[@ACDZ123]

Doesn't mean the government can lie ..and it's not commercial if the government can dictate how it operates

[@locustsandhoney486]

@@ACDZ123 You must be dumb. Government IS COMMERCE. The PUBLIC. Facepalm. Governments DICTATE COMMERCE.