Göteborg: Offensive words and freedom of speech in a pluralistic society

Writer, broadcaster and visiting Senior Fellow at the Department of Political, International and Policy Studies at the UK's University of Surrey, Kenan Malik, discussed whether freedom of speech should be restricted or not in today's pluralistic society at the Press Freedom Round Table at the 15th World Editors Forum.

In a pluralistic society, people are more likely to be offended by things that are expressed. This raises the question of whether the freedom of speech should be restricted to protect the feelings and beliefs of others, or unrestrained -- so that everyone truly is free to air their opinion.

Kenan Malik believes that in a pluralistic society freedom of speech should rule in today's pluralistic society. He brought up the example of the publication of Salman Rushdie's  Satanic Verses, 20 years ago. Back then a lot of people defended and supported Rushdie's right to express and publish anything he wanted. But now, after 9/11 and the controversy following the Mohammed-caricatures, people are saying that religious beliefs should be respected because they are so deeply felt.

Malik argues that all beliefs -- not only religous, but also atheistic beliefs should be respected and so on. And in the end no one would be able to say anything. We should instead respect freedom of speech. Censorship doesn't protected small minority groups and powerless citizens, Malik argues, but rather increases the power of those who have the power to censor.