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this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2023
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When people cry free speech they are invoking the US constitution. They fail to recognize it only pertains to the government.
You cannot claim this on behalf of other people. I myself sometimes refer to lax moderation rules as "free speech focused" moderation. It has nothing to do with the government.
That isn't to say that some, or even many, people don't use the phrase assuming that it is their constitutionally protected right to spread vitriol on the internet. But to imply that this is the only common meaning is disingenuous.
Free speech is the freedom to speak about the government. That's all it is. That's it. If a company practices free speech all they're doing is exercising thier freedom to criticize the government. Same with an individual.
There is no other form of free speech. It exists solely to counter the government.
You don't police the English language. I don't know what else to tell you.
One phrase can refer to multiple things; "free speech" often refers to the ability to say whatever you like* without repurcussions from an authoritative figure, be that the government, Elon Musk's cronies, or Lemmy moderators. Obviously it is not a constitutionally protected right in the latter contexts, but then again the phrase wasn't "right to free speech."
Ok dude sure thing.
Excuse me, I have swim my car to work.
are you saying that free speech as a concept was invented by the US Government? and that the right to free speech can only be enforced by it?
free speech can mean, and has meant, many things to many different people. the concept has been around for over 1000 years. there's plenty more to say about "free speech" than just the rights specifically provided to american citizens.
No. Freedom of speech as a concept means freedom to criticize the government. Not just the US government.
Anyone that thinks otherwise, as someone once said, is a dolt.
You're the dolt lmao no one else has such a restrictive definition of the word. Context matters.