Endangering others is our inalienable right
Some writers on this site live in countries where “guilt by association” is a very real worry and where their free speech rights are curtailed. Many of those are actually writing under their real names. Yes! They are not anonymous and therefore easy targets of governments that are, let’s say, less than liberal in their notions of free speech.
When I was in Iran, I tried to explain this to commenters on my site (view from Iran) who seemed to think that their right to insult was more important than my right to remain free and out of jail.
Let me explain for those of you who do not quite get what I mean: there are people writing for this site who face very real threats to their freedom because commenters and posters alike think that bashing Islam is their inalienable right.
Now before you accuse me of being against free speech, please know that I am not approving of the actions of any group or government that sees a bit of insult as a punishable offense. I am simply stating that those governments and groups exist. And that we endanger our friends when we decide that our inalienable right to get into Koran bashing debates is more important than their freedom.
Personally, I think that anyone who wants to can take that debate to a private site where what is written endangers no one other than the writer. What do you guys think?
The question I pose is simple: Are you willing to see someone else arrested because of what you wrote?
–Tori
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is it not possible to write under a pseudonym? such as sandmonkey who ultimately stopped anyway because he was possibly known to the authorities. Of course, if i were u i wouldnt want to endanger myself or my family.
Esther (Iran):
Although I didn’t bring the idea of debating on Quran but I replied with Quran’s verses. I think I’m responsible to reply to your post:
I don’t think so anybody got insult more than me here! It’s not ok but it happens. Because in the net, you can’t lock down people, right? Or ticket them, Right? Readers shouldn’t insult which it’s everybody’s wish.
Bashing is not a good idea at all.
I personally do agree people who write here are endanger themselves somehow, specially after my posts about religion, right?
Sure, you’re not against free speech but it implies self-censorship through fear (which this danger exist and I don’t deny it).
1. We shouldn’t endanger anybody else’s life.
2. Why do you think it was a bashing debate? though it was a constructive one.
Not at all! as I wrote in other posts: I try my best not to write about religion as much as possible! but can you do me favor? Please add to the website: “It’s very normal in this region (Middle East) for a site administrator to be held entirely responsible for all the posts published here, that puts me and my colleagues at great risk. So please take into consideration when you want to write about controversial subjects.”
And you shouldn’t use Quran or other religious books, your subject.
Don’t get me wrong! I do understand this fear is real and this danger exists, and I do suggest please rephrase what’s in the “about us” section of MEY website.
Then everybody would understand what’s right to write and vice versa!
Ok Esther:
please solve the problem in Freedom of speech or not!
Fariborz, I was not referring to you specifically. This is an issue that pre-dates your appearance on the site.
My point is this: there are plenty of ways for individuals to post on their own. Endangering your own freedom is your own business. But there are many people on this site who have decided to write under their real names. Some of those people live in middle eastern countries. This makes them vulnerable to officially sanctioned retribution, Some of them are already feeling the heat from their governments. Should we ignore that just for the sake of a principle?
There are so many ways to make a point. I freely admit to self-censorship while I was writing from Iran. I did not do that only to protect myself, but to protect others as well. Is that so bad?
Very important post you’ve written here Esther. I think the editors of this site should be extra careful and that the authors be more considerate in their writing. It doesn’t have much to do with censorship as Fariborz continues to state, this is about responsibility which is always important when discussing controversial issues. This is true for even the biggest and most successful democracies in the world (referring to those in Europe) where a major code of ethic is responsibility and consideration in reporting. We cannot run around screaming our opinions without understanding its consequences especially in a region as troubled as the Middle East where corrupt practices against human rights activists are very common.
Tori:
What did encourage me to write here particularly about religion was this MEY banner. I am working on a project and these discussions would help me to understand a group responses, actions, reactions, tolerance and so on.
Well, I can’t talk for myself, I am not ignorant but MEY shouldn’t misrepresent itself as a free environment which encourage others to talk about Islam while many people on this site are living in Middle East countries (used their real names) and don’t feel safe and secure whenever there’s a discussion about religion and particularly Islam.
Well, as I wrote in my earlier comment if it comes to safety of people, specially others, I try not to write about religion at all. But I insist we should mention in the site the reason that we commit to self-censorship and aware others to know why don’t we talk about controversial topics.
Murad:
That’s right, it’s very good post.
Your comment is great, what I am saying is, when for any reason we commit not to write (in MEY because of safety of people in ME which is very important) we should mention it in MEY but e.g.this banner encourage authors to write about religion to seek answers and looking for discussions to have different point of view on particular topics.
I can’t share same opinion when it comes to reporting. Journalists/Reports usually won’t follow the rules and they are in frontline of controversial issues.
We have to have a common knowledge of consequences and it should come in the website in introduction or policy section because for whatever reason we commit not to write about something so those reason should be in public. What do you say?
We have to take into consideration safety of everyone which it comes first.