Application question

Application question
Reading 3 and 4 cited different views regarding freedom of expression. Which view do you subscribe to and why?

Personally, I feel that freedom of expression is the right to express one’s opinions or ideas freely through speech and other forms of communication with no intention of slandering. It is a platform where many people share the same status and voice their disapproval in a refined manner, compared to riots and wars. In my opinion, I would support the views of that mentioned in Passage 3.

In my opinion, i think Freedom of expression should not be banned as they provide earnest opinions that represent the thoughts of common people and produce valuable feedback for the country. Though Passage 3 views Freedom of Speech in a bad light, it will be welcomed only if it comes with responsibility. People must be aware that the choice of words they use will carry weights. They must recognise the sensitivity of a particular issue. If they choose to be ignorant about it, chaos will ensue and the idea of freedom of expression may be jeopardized. A substantial example is the Danish cartoons on Prophet Mohammad.


The author’s opinion in Passage 4 is the exact opposite of the claim in Passage 3. He states that any state should not ban the aforementioned caricatures on Prophet Mohammad. He is implying that it is fine for people to do so with the assumption that all citizens uphold the virtues of tolerance and acceptance. However, he over-generalised as not everyone in the society can face such an accusation of their religion calmly because there are many staunch believers who would like to think that their faiths are done a great disservice.
Passage 3 states that if the European mdeia ae free to 'publish and be damned', the Muslims are also allowed to vent their anger. This would be a never ending cycle and will never be tolerated and accepted by the society as the devastation it brings to the respective countries is too overwhelming to be accepted. This defeated the claim which the author of Passage 4 is trying to make: View Freedom of expression with tolerance and acceptance.

Freedom of expression is a right that everyone have. It is yet also something which is susceptible to the harshness and reality of the society at a gratuitous extent. We should not take our right for granted. Therefore to uphold freedom of expression while preserving social order, on our part, we must execute it with adequate sensitivity and mature analysis of issues as well as with responsibility.