Why Free Speech Should Be BannedCollin Harris

In the digital world of today, there are many threats to the safety andpeace of the typical citizen, but one major threat lies unregulated anddormant.

We regulate guns, not because every person that picks up a handgun isgoing to go on a rampage, but because there is that one person who takeswhat is not his, or that one person that decides to take innocent lives. Weregulate marijuana, not because every person that picks up a joint is goingto drive his car into oncoming traffic, but because there is that one personwho takes things too far and ruins it for everybody else.

Well, is this not the same thing? Free speech is open, corruptible, and athreat to our society. Granted, just like in the above example, not everyperson is going to abuse their right to free speech. But unlike the example,the ripple effect that is caused by that one person expands to new levels,unlike anything else. But enough with speculating. Let's put this into arealistic example.

Take JOHN. He's a normal person who enjoys his daily life just as muchas the next guy. You could even call him a model citizen, who contributes tohis society as much as he can and never really causes any commotionaround him. One day Bibby is haplessly browsing the net and comes acrosssomething that he felt was strange. Maybe it was something relating to the"corruption" of the government, or maybe it was somebody expressing theirdiscontentment with how a certain law was faring, and their views on analternative. Not only is this "model citizen" drawing attention to thisquestionable content, but he is beginning to dwell on dangerous topics thatgenerally are not beneficial to the government, nor to himself.

Now here we find a model citizen, passing on information that may beinaccurate, unfounded, and in its entirety unpatriotic in the eyes of hispeers. This cycle spreads like a virus of misinformation until riots andviolence ensue, all based on this misguided information. It is our duty tocontrol and regulate this, in order to pursue and protect the peace of thisnation.

Maybe now you see why this needs to be stopped. We are on the brink ofcatastrophe with the spread of internet and mass media. Anyone can makefalse accusations and claims, and the public will usually be caught up in thesensationalism of the issue and ignore the official explanations offered by

the government. Yes, it is because of free speech that many socialrevolutions have been made, but is not because of this radical propaganda,but with the use of a solid political process. Free speech must be regulated,in order to maintain safety for the public.