This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/22/the-power-of-speech-free-or-otherwise

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
The power of speech, free or otherwise The power of speech, free or otherwise
(about 20 hours later)
Letters
Sun 22 Oct 2017 18.22 BST
Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 15.04 GMT
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
View more sharing options
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Messenger
Close
What a thought-provoking article from Gaby Hinsliff (If millennials are wary of free speech, who can blame them?, 20 October). Defending the right to free speech has never been about hurling abuse or inciting violence. It’s about keeping debate and discussion open. Trolls, on the contrary, aim to frighten people into silence and close down freedom of expression. Controlling this online is hard, but is no excuse for giving in to it on campus. She is right to call for help for universities, not fines, in maintaining this precious basis of democracy.Bridget EltonLondonWhat a thought-provoking article from Gaby Hinsliff (If millennials are wary of free speech, who can blame them?, 20 October). Defending the right to free speech has never been about hurling abuse or inciting violence. It’s about keeping debate and discussion open. Trolls, on the contrary, aim to frighten people into silence and close down freedom of expression. Controlling this online is hard, but is no excuse for giving in to it on campus. She is right to call for help for universities, not fines, in maintaining this precious basis of democracy.Bridget EltonLondon
• As Lincoln showed at Gettysburg, in democracies the length of a speech is often in inverse proportion to the amount of skill and preparation given to it. In authoritarian regimes such as China, the reverse usually applies. All power to John Crace (Digested week, 21 October) to get this message across to our politicians. Geoff ReidBradford• As Lincoln showed at Gettysburg, in democracies the length of a speech is often in inverse proportion to the amount of skill and preparation given to it. In authoritarian regimes such as China, the reverse usually applies. All power to John Crace (Digested week, 21 October) to get this message across to our politicians. Geoff ReidBradford
• Having grown up in Ireland, I sound the “r” at the end of words as the Scot Ian Jack does. The English tend to omit it (Opinion, 21 October). I am often stumped by crossword clues where the setter assumes the solver is English. An example is the use of “er” to indicate hesitation. This sounds like “err” to me.Cyril DuffLondon• Having grown up in Ireland, I sound the “r” at the end of words as the Scot Ian Jack does. The English tend to omit it (Opinion, 21 October). I am often stumped by crossword clues where the setter assumes the solver is English. An example is the use of “er” to indicate hesitation. This sounds like “err” to me.Cyril DuffLondon
• Now that the forecasters have dramatised unremarkable winter weather with names, we’re doing the same with the common cold. I’m currently being battered by Cold Aguecheek, and my wife thinks she’s starting with Cold Bardolph.Michael McManusLeeds• Now that the forecasters have dramatised unremarkable winter weather with names, we’re doing the same with the common cold. I’m currently being battered by Cold Aguecheek, and my wife thinks she’s starting with Cold Bardolph.Michael McManusLeeds
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
Freedom of speech
Brief letters
Language
Xi Jinping
Students
Higher education
letters
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Messenger
Reuse this content