Who Shot Free Speech!?!??

[junaman]

I got suspended today ....
Me and a friend created a humourous website about our science teacher, to which I posted articles..
The site was purely for comedic purposes, done anonymously... it just happened to mention something about child porn, completely out of context, and they jumped on me like a pack of hungry wolves....
it was spreading through my school pretty quickly and teachers somehow got word of it.. or someone told them Now i have to meet the principal with my parents on monday...

I mean what has happened to free speech in such a "free" and "democratic" country such as this one...
Why can i not write what is on my mind, especially when it is all humourous, and has vbery little to do with anyone....plus its on an anonymous website, outside of my school.....

I'm sure if they had asked me nicely, I would have taken it off... but censorship is going too far....

[d-quik]

yeah you are not supposed to say those kind of things in schools

if you say "dammit im gunna kill myself" figuratively in school, they take it seriously

yes, it is free speech but there are somethings you don't say. censorship did not go too far

[Coventrysucks]

Free speech ≠ "My teacher is a paedo" (or whatever you said, even as a "joke")

[drakkie]

free speech is great but there are always borders. Insulting people on purpose goes too far and then it's wrong claiming for "free speech". I'm sure you know it's wrong what you did, accept it.

[junaman]

it went something along the lines of: my teacher is a christmas poo, he lives in sewers and comes out only on christmas night.....or my teacher creates a paradox, because it is unlikely that he exists.....

joke or not, how is that going too far...
and i didnt say this at school.... this was a site i wrote submissions to at home...

[Matra et Alpine]

and i didnt say this at school.... this was a site i wrote submissions to at home...

It amazes me that you consider that somehow publishign it on a web site for EVERYEON to read is somehow LESS of a crime than if you'd only said it to a couepl of mates in teh back of class.

Sorry, J, looks like your value system and morals are upside down

[junaman]

It amazes me that you consider that somehow publishign it on a web site for EVERYEON to read is somehow LESS of a crime than if you'd only said it to a couepl of mates in teh back of class.

Sorry, J, looks like your value system and morals are upside down

No, that's not what i meant, I'm saying that publishing it with my name on it, to some official print source would have been more of a crime, than on an ANONYMOUS site... with an ANONYMOUS audience....

and yes, i do feel sorry for doing it now...

But

What exactly is free speech? or what should it be?
And if its not free, then what is the point of having such a concept?

Why should i not allowed to express my opinion without fear.. on the INTERNET...... which has so much crap on it.... .....

And if libel laws are removed from a global source... then no one would be hurt and reputations wouldnt be ruined by crap appearing on the web, which is the whole point of the laws initially....

What is so wrong with writing what i feel
its too easy to commit crimes these days....

[F1_Master]

Well, congrats as you're seeing something related to what we Americans like to do.
"Make fun of me, and I sue u!"

Seriously though, it isn't too cool to slander people, but I do understand it was a joke that one took seriously.
Teens do it here all the time, but they usually don't take the time to make a page about it.

The only time I slander someone is when I expect them to slander me back.

[Matra et Alpine]

No, that's not what i meant, I'm saying that publishing it with my name on it, to some official print source would have been more of a crime, than on an ANONYMOUS site... with an ANONYMOUS audience....

ah right, so breaking into your home and stealing all your goods wearing a mask so you dont' know who did it is somehow acceptable ? I should only be arrested if I break in shouting my name and wearing a T shirt with my name written on it ???

You're trying too hard to feel like the victim

and yes, i do feel sorry for doing it now...

But

What exactly is free speech? or what should it be?
And if its not free, then what is the point of having such a concept?

You've already learned that lesson .... or we thought you had.

"free" speech does not entitle you to lie and defame character.

Why should i not allowed to express my opinion without fear.. on the INTERNET...... which has so much crap on it.... .....

Let's sort THAT one out.
you ARE 100% entitled to voice your opinion.
BUT you also then have to be man enough to accept the consequences of libel and defamatiuon criminal proceedings.
Of course if you have an opinion that is based pruely on childish fantasies then it's 100% your fault for having them !!!

What is so wrong with writing what i feel
its too easy to commit crimes these days....

Nothgin wrong with it.
Just dont' be a pussy when you then get your ass kicked for doing it when it's wrong and harmful.
"Too easy" --- OK, think this one ... local fruit market puts it's fruit outside in the street and it's so easy to just lift a dozen apples then it's their fault ?

No, time to grow up and learn RESPONSIBILITY.

[Coventrysucks]

joke or not, how is that going too far...
and i didnt say this at school.... this was a site i wrote submissions to at home...

So, hypothetically, if I were to create a website and say something highly slanderous; that you were a "Hardcore N-Sync fan" or something, as a "joke", that's ok because you're in Australia, and I'm in the UK?

[McReis]

So, hypothetically, if I were to create a website and say something highly slanderous; that you were a "Hardcore N-Sync fan" ...

That woull be going too far. It's a too rough acusation.

[RazaBlade]

That woull be going too far. It's a too rough acusation.

I wanted to say that too, but thought the thread may be in a more serious tone!!

Adding to the thread, this whole generation of bloggers is a bit dangerous. You dont know who you will rub up the wrong way, no matter what your intention. Plus, with the stuff freely available on the internet, the damage caused by any mis-interpreted comments will spread a lot further than just your school.

[bmwpower]

Agree with all of the above..what happened to defamation is what the teacher is asking and legally he'd win. You have to be careful what you say about people because your rights aren't absolute, reasonable limits are placed on them..

[Matra et Alpine]

Sorry man, BUT you need to learn the differecne between "free speech" and "slander" ( even when by inference )


AND if htey had asked nicely and you removed it and there was then no follow-up then it gives a signal that slander and defamation is OK as long as we say "sorry".

Nope. you were rightly censored and I'd not be surprised to see you either suspended or put on restricted clases or detention etc etc. Everyone has to KNOW that it is a serious offence and will be treated appropriately. Shit happens that you're in the frame and having to learn first hadn whilst everyoen else will learn it second hand

[Dino Scuderia]

I got suspended today ....
Me and a friend created a humourous website about our science teacher, to which I posted articles..
The site was purely for comedic purposes, done anonymously... it just happened to mention something about child porn, completely out of context, and they jumped on me like a pack of hungry wolves....
it was spreading through my school pretty quickly and teachers somehow got word of it.. or someone told them Now i have to meet the principal with my parents on monday...

I mean what has happened to free speech in such a "free" and "democratic" country such as this one...
Why can i not write what is on my mind, especially when it is all humourous, and has vbery little to do with anyone....plus its on an anonymous website, outside of my school.....

I'm sure if they had asked me nicely, I would have taken it off... but censorship is going too far....

In todays climate this was the most stupid thing you could have done. I hope you learn from this.