Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia

Hate speech has been an issue of heated debate amongst legal scholars and human rights activists particularly between Western and Eastern countries. This is primarily due to the difference in our conceptions and prioritisation of rights. Freedom of speech is undoubtedly important due to the values...

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Main Authors:	Wan Mohd Nor, Murni, Mohd Asraf, Ratnawati
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	LexisNexis 2015
Subjects:	K Law (General)
Online Access:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/48097/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/48097/1/Article_Malayan_Law_Journal.pdf

id	iium-48097
recordtype	eprints
spelling	iium-480972016-07-18T03:41:51Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/48097/ Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia Wan Mohd Nor, Murni Mohd Asraf, Ratnawati K Law (General) Hate speech has been an issue of heated debate amongst legal scholars and human rights activists particularly between Western and Eastern countries. This is primarily due to the difference in our conceptions and prioritisation of rights. Freedom of speech is undoubtedly important due to the values it promotes, but too much emphasis on this right has resulted in the neglect of the due exercise of responsibility, often leading to, and perpetuating hate speech. While free speech should be protected, one should not disregard the preservation of public interest and peace within society. The authors argue that hate speech can be justifiably legislated, as it does not help in the attainment of free speech values. Then, the role of hate speech is spreading and reinforcing racism and discrimination are discussed. Focusing on Malaysia, the authors highlight the instances of racial and religious conflict and explain how hate speech aggravates race relations. Lastly, the authors propose a conception of human rights guided by religious values, which is especially important for multi-cultural and multi-religious countries. It is hoped that by considering the meaning and purpose of free speech in light of the problems caused by hate speech, there will be a better appreciation for the need to balance freedom of the individual with restraint and responsibility. LexisNexis 2015-09 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/48097/1/Article_Malayan_Law_Journal.pdf Wan Mohd Nor, Murni and Mohd Asraf, Ratnawati (2015) Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia. Malayan Law Journal, 5. xliv-lxvii. ISSN 0025-1283
repository_type	Digital Repository
institution_category	Local University
institution	International Islamic University Malaysia
building	IIUM Repository
collection	Online Access
language	English
topic	K Law (General)
spellingShingle	K Law (General) Wan Mohd Nor, Murni Mohd Asraf, Ratnawati Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia
description	Hate speech has been an issue of heated debate amongst legal scholars and human rights activists particularly between Western and Eastern countries. This is primarily due to the difference in our conceptions and prioritisation of rights. Freedom of speech is undoubtedly important due to the values it promotes, but too much emphasis on this right has resulted in the neglect of the due exercise of responsibility, often leading to, and perpetuating hate speech. While free speech should be protected, one should not disregard the preservation of public interest and peace within society. The authors argue that hate speech can be justifiably legislated, as it does not help in the attainment of free speech values. Then, the role of hate speech is spreading and reinforcing racism and discrimination are discussed. Focusing on Malaysia, the authors highlight the instances of racial and religious conflict and explain how hate speech aggravates race relations. Lastly, the authors propose a conception of human rights guided by religious values, which is especially important for multi-cultural and multi-religious countries. It is hoped that by considering the meaning and purpose of free speech in light of the problems caused by hate speech, there will be a better appreciation for the need to balance freedom of the individual with restraint and responsibility.
format	Article
author	Wan Mohd Nor, Murni Mohd Asraf, Ratnawati
author_facet	Wan Mohd Nor, Murni Mohd Asraf, Ratnawati
author_sort	Wan Mohd Nor, Murni
title	Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia
title_short	Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia
title_full	Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia
title_fullStr	Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed	Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia
title_sort	freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in malaysia
publisher	LexisNexis
publishDate	2015
url	http://irep.iium.edu.my/48097/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/48097/1/Article_Malayan_Law_Journal.pdf
first_indexed	2023-09-18T21:08:19Z
last_indexed	2023-09-18T21:08:19Z
_version_	1777411082851188736

Freedom without restraint and responsibility: the problem of hate speech in Malaysia

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