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<\/p>\nCitizens in Ireland can be imprisoned for five years if they share or comment on non-mainstream content on virtual communication networks, according to an authoritarian new \u201chate speech\u201d law set to be passed in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n
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Speaking at the Irish parliament, Twitter Files<\/em> journalist Michael Shellenberger warned that \u201cthere is no hate crisis in Ireland<\/em>\u201d and that the case for censorship was brought about by \u201celite panic\u201d trying to shut down free speech among the Irish people.<\/p>\n Expose-news.com<\/em> reports: The bill would make it an offence to possess (for distribution) material that could lead to \u201chatred\u201d in Ireland, with punishment of up to 5 years in prison.<\/p>\n The bill would also impact the right to share views on virtual communication networks across much of the world, with directors and executives of these platforms with international HQs in Ireland (X, Facebook, and more) held accountable to the Irish government if found to be platforming undefined \u201chate speech.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe world is watching Ireland. The censorial \u2018hate speech bill\u2019, if passed, would not only shut down conversation nationally \u2013 as the home of various international virtual communication netowrks headquarters, it would have a global impact on what we can all discuss online.<\/em><\/p>\n A sweeping ban on undefined \u2018hate\u2019 gives authorities the power to determine which viewpoints are acceptable to voice. World history warns us that such power can be easily abused<\/em>,\u201d said Michael Shellenberger, international bestselling author and journalist behind the Twitter Files<\/em>.<\/p>\n Far-reaching consequences<\/strong><\/p>\n On the same day, giving the keynote address at the Ireland Free Speech Summit, which sold out amongst members of the public, Shellenberger suggested the goal of the bill may be to \u201ccensor the entire internet<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n The bill offers no clear definition of what \u201chate\u201d entails. Experts warn this could pave the way for the criminal prosecution of a wide range of expression considered unfavourable by authorities.<\/p>\n The bill would further make refusal to give a password to an electronic device a crime, which would allow authorities to search and possibly find materials that are \u201chateful<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n 1 in 4 Irish concerned about right to free speech being eroded<\/strong><\/p>\n New national polling commissioned by ADF International reveals a deep-seated concern amongst the Irish for the erosion of free speech, with a quarter revealing they already feel restricted in expressing their views and opinions in social settings like a tea shop, or in their place of work or study.<\/p>\n In the survey, conducted by Whitestone Insight, 90% confirmed that free speech was \u201cvery important<\/em>\u201d to them \u2013 while the Irish parliament debates new and wide-ranging \u201chate speech\u201d legislation, with egregious implications for the basic human right to free speech.<\/p>\n \u201cThe proposed \u2018hate speech\u2019 legislation would be one of the worst examples of censorship in the modern West. The bill purports to stamp out \u2018hate speech\u2019, but fails to define what \u2018hate\u2019 is \u2013 allowing authorities to censor any speech the state opposes. <\/em><\/p>\n That\u2019s why voices from around the world are speaking up for the right to debate and discuss ideas \u2013 here in Ireland, and everywhere<\/em>,\u201d said Lorcan Price, Irish Barrister and Legal Counsel for ADF International.<\/p>\n Methodology note<\/em>: Whitestone Insight surveyed 1,027 Republic of Ireland adults online from 15th-20th March 2024. Whitestone Insight is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full tables are available at whitestoneinsight.com<\/em>.<\/p>\n Global voices speak out against censorship<\/strong><\/p>\n At the 2024 Free Speech Summit in Dublin on June 18, international free speech champions gathered with politicians to highlight the issues at stake under the bill.<\/p>\n Father Ted<\/em> screenwriter Graham Linehan was among the famous faces gathered, challenging attempts to censor Ireland:<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all coming together with different viewpoints, beliefs, and perspectives \u2013 but we agree on one thing. We should be allowed to freely discuss and debate ideas in Ireland. Our free speech should not be curtailed by a censorial government. It\u2019s essential that the parliament consider the draconian impact that the hate speech bill could have on Irish society \u2013 and keep the public square open for all<\/em>,\u201d said Graham Linehan.<\/p>\n Independent Senators R\u00f3n\u00e1n Mullen and Sharon Keogan spoke out against the bill, with Mullen highlighting that the bill is \u201cfar too vague<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen it comes to democracy, I believe in it. When it comes to the right to test each other\u2019s ideas, I believe in it. And we can\u2019t do that if we\u2019re operating under the chilling fear of giving offence to somebody who wraps that up as hatred, claims that it\u2019s against the law, attacks you as a mob online, causes virtual communication companies to take down your stuff so that you\u2019ve failed to communicate before you even begin to try. If nobody was ever prosecuted under this law, the process itself would become the punishment<\/em>,\u201d said Mullen in his address.<\/p>\n Also speaking up at the event were cleric and broadcaster Fr. Calvin Robinson; Cambridge academic Dr. James Orr; Irish journalist Laura Perrins; Philosophy Professor Gerard Casey; feminist campaigner Laoise de Br\u00fan; GB News host Andrew Doyle; psychotherapist and Director of Genspect, Stella O\u2019Malley; and international bestselling author Andy Ngo.<\/p>\n Speaking to censorship within the gender debate specifically, Genspect director and psychotherapist Stella O\u2019Malley said:<\/p>\n \u201cI am finding the gender world increasingly hardline, and there is a lack of understanding about the importance of free speech, which is a cornerstone and a fundamental to a civilisation. We need to be able to speak about this freely rather than stumbling over what is the fashionable phrase to use right now<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have any right over my words!\u201d<\/p>\n Psychotherapist and Genspect founder @stellaomalley3<\/a> calls out censorial \u201cword-policing\u201d in the gender debate, designed to shut down conversations: pic.twitter.com\/1gNBVSOGcR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ADF International (@ADFIntl) June 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n