The right to say what we think, and thus to protest, is fundamental to T our Western way of life. But we have always understood that free speech isn't absolute. Laws against incitement, for example, could be an infringement. But, as a society, we have decided that inciting people to commit a crime should not be allowed.
It's a worrying fact that there are people and organisations within our society who seek its destruction. All too often they use terror as a tool of their ideology as in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. The police and security services work to discover and disrupt terror plots. And then, in theory, we prosecute those who are working to destroy us.
In practice, however, there are two huge problems. First, we are not tackling some of the most egregious and obvious extremists. Appallingly, we grant them what is, in effect, untrammelled free speech. Many Islamists, for example, are open about their views and what they want. And all too often mosques are the forum for preachers who celebrate terrorism and seek to draw young Muslims into extremism.
This has been particularly bad since the October 7 Hamas massacre of 1,200 Israelis but it long pre-dates that. You can see for yourself online, where many such sermons remain.
This story is from the March 12, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 12, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Heroes are braced for a backlash from Villans
HOSTS WARY WOUNDED SIDE WILL FIRE AFTER SHOCK LOSS
REAL DRAMA HARD ON KANE
England skipper's final bid killed by super sub Joselu
MONEY BAWL
Howe admits 'richest club in world' tag has been a burden
Ros likes a Canter but not big fences
THEY ARE TERRIFYING, ADMITS OLYMPIC HOPE
GOODBYE NORMA JEANE'S HOME?
The modest LA hacienda where Marilyn Monroe was found dead may be facing the bulldozers after its new owners went to court to tear it down, in the latest twist of an increasingly bitter battle over a slice of Hollywood heritage...
Israel pounds Rafah amid criticism by US
ISRAEL claimed it was conducting a \"precise counter-terrorism operation in specific areas of eastern Rafah\" yesterday amid multiple missile attacks which killed civilians.
Sir Geoff Hurst: Time to tackle technophobia...It's never too late to learn
World Cup winner's plea to older Express readers
Chris Packham's march to save the natural world
CHRIS Packham is organising a huge demonstration next month to pile pressure on politicians to protect our wildlife.
Home hit as Russia unleashes salvo of missiles and drones
RUSSIA launched wave after wave of attacks on Ukraine yesterday, hitting three energy plants.
I'll tell you what I want...£600k to boost my brand
Baby Spice launches crowdfunder for Kit & Kin