Title: Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech – Resisting Hate
Headings: Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech
Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech
Hate speech often deals in preconceptions and stereotypes
Hate speech incites violence and endangers innocent people
There is a difference between expressing an opinion and telling damaging lies
Actualising the “right” of free speech violates the rights of others
Freedom of speech does not mean speech without consequences
Hate speech normalises hate in society
Roanna Carleton-Taylor

Content: There is a difference between expressing an opinion and telling damaging lies
I do agree that an individual has a right to express an opinion. There are many cases where I dislike the opinions of others but I acknowledge that they have a right to hold and share those opinions. What they do not have a right to do is tell lies to publicly reinforce that opinion. Our group saw an example of this the other day where a photograph of a child mauled by a dog had been used on social media to report an “attack perpetrated by immigrants.” There was no attack, the story was entirely fictional and was being spread to incite hatred against various groups in the UK perceived not to be “English” enough by a group of far right Twitter accounts. While we are all free to tell the truth, in my view, freedom of speech does not extend to telling untruths with an agenda to demonise others. Actualising the “right” of free speech violates the rights of others
One of the most common objections our group receives in relation to our belief that hate speech is not free speech is the argument that an individual has the right to say what they please and that putting restrictions on this denies them that right. Putting aside the issue that alongside the right to free speech comes an implied responsibility not to abuse that right there is also an inherent conflict between the right of one individual to express a view and the right of another individual not to be abused or verbally attacked. One social media account may wish to express for example their extremist hate view (and I use this atrocious example as it is a real life example seen so frequently by us) that “All Jews deserve to be killed.” However a Jewish person also has the right to log onto social media without being exposed to the extremist view that others wish them dead.