Letter

In response to Free speech and antisemitism: drawing the line

Free speech is not absolute

“What about free speech?” people of all stripes exclaim, in many and varied circumstances.

Free speech is not the absolute some proclaim.

Morally speaking, all speech carries responsibility with it. This is recognised in law. Our hate speech laws are far from perfect but even in making such laws there is the implied as well as expressed belief that free speech does not mean anything goes.

And so we have to ask, why did the National Press Club invite the Israeli Ambassador to Australia to speak on its usually respected podium? To listen to the ambassador’s denial that genocide is happening was stomach-turning. WE SEE GENOCIDE EVERY DAY ON OUR PHONES.

It’s no wonder we read so much pro-Israel, anti-Palestinian propaganda in the legacy media. Bought, conned, gullible, true believers? The National Press Club has tarred all journalists with the pro-Israel brush. We can but take whatever they report with very many grains of salt. A once respected profession now measures with used-car salesmen. Sad. Dangerous.

— Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122