Crackdown On Internet 'Hate' in Canada

Baldrson writes "CanWest is reporting that 'The federal government is preparing to introduce a sweeping round of legislation that would combat the "explosion" of hate sites on the Internet.' A priority of this legislation is more international enforcement under the Council of Europe's protocol on hate speech. The hate-speech legislation is tied to a bill to reduce trafficing in women and children."

threat to freedom of speech?

[BigChigger]

Interesting to see how the /. community receives this. If you can't say even unpopular things, then you have no freedom of speech. This will also eventually be used to persecute religious speach.

this is doubleplusungood.

BC

Sounds like 2 unrelated matters on the same law...

[Zangief]

Why this "hate-speech" is tied with slave traffic?

I think the politicians are just trying to make the two problems like one, so they can pass a law to cut on free-speech, because, you know, nobody can support slave trade...

I get that impression from RTFA...maybe I shouldn't read before giving my opinion.

Re:I am glad there is such a thing

[Zangief]

It pissed me right off when I saw CNN and FoxNews cover the story of about 12 people pouring French wine down the gutter but not covering the millions of people pouring through the streets in support of the French view of not invading for stupid reasons.

That's very good, and all, but I fail to see how such legislation would prevent CNN and Fox to present only one side of the story.

Re:threat to freedom of speech?

[crimethinker]

Yes, I agree with you that limits of free speech (except for the pathological "yelling 'fire' in a crowded theatre" cases) are a bad thing. What I disagree with you about is that this law wil lbe used to protect religious speech. I submit that, based on recent cases in Canada, it most certainly will be used to oppress religious groups who speak out against "politically corrrect" beliefs.

It's one thing to say "homosexuality is wrong, and we should execute the sodomites! Let's all go home, grab our guns, and get to work." What I am claiming, backed by items in the news, is that a church which simply said, "homosexuality is a sin, and we should not pretend that it is simply another 'life choice'," was threatened and/or fined under anti-hate speech laws.

With such regulations apparently coming to the internet (as far as the site or its owner are in canada), things will only get worse. They are creating a nation of thought-criminals through silly laws like this.

-paul