The online conundrum: Protect speech or society?

We look at how countries are prosecuting people for what they say on social media.

Many post to Facebook and Twitter the same way they speak privately to their friends.

Online conversations, however, are public and may be limited by law especially when it comes to controversial speech. Even countries that put a premium on free expression are prosecuting netizens for things they post.

Do these laws infringe on free speech or ensure civilised society?

On this episode of The Stream, we speak to Scott Edwards, Director of the Science for Human Rights program at Amnesty International; Zahed Amanullah, Chief Media Officer at Unitas Communications; and Gavin Phillipson, Professor of Human Rights Law at Durham University.

What do you think? Do laws limiting controversial speech online squelch expression or keep the peace? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.

Here are some highlights from the conversation online:

View the story "The online conundrum: Protect speech or society?" on StorifyThe online conundrum: Protect speech or society? We look at how countries are prosecuting people for what they say on social media.Storified by The Stream · Tue, Apr 17 2012 12:28:57In an effort to comply with speech laws around the world, Twitter announced in January it would block tweets and user accounts that violate domestic laws.

This picture shows how some users feel about the new policy.

twitter-bird-censoredAJstreamThis is an example of what a user might see if a Twitter account has been censored or blocked due to a country's speech standards.@username withheldAJstreamThis is what Twitter users would find if they tried to view a tweet that has been censored in another country.tweet withheldAJstreamIn India, Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra was arrested for sharing a political cartoon with his friends that criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This is the political cartoon that caused Mahapatra's arrest. The picture parodies the situation where the Chief Minister fired one of her party members, Dinesh Trivedi, for raising the railway fares. Click here for more on this story.twitpiccartoonAJstreamIn Turkey, the government is investigating famous pianist and composer Fazil Say, who is accused of offending Christianity, Judaism and Islam as well as causing public resentment on Twitter. If found guilty under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code, he could face between six months to three years in prison. This links to his Twitter page.Picture 3AJstreamArticle 216 of the Turkish Penal Code explains the restrictions on expression (it can be found under Chapter 3: Offences against Society).

It states: "Anyone who openly incites sections of the population to enmity or hatred toward another group on the basis of race, social class, religion, or sectarian difference, in a manner which may present a clear and imminent danger in terms of public safety shall be sentenced to imprisonment of from one to three years."

Picture 6AJstreamAlthough Twitter removed Say's tweets, the hashtag #FazilSay was trending on Twitter in support of the composer. Let's support @Fazil__Say in his brave & witty twitters for the Turkye we used to love but under threat by humourless bigotists #FazilSayJohan AdriaansensWorld famous Turkish pianist investigated for anti-religious tweet. Turkey 500 years behind, far from achieving freedom of speech. #FazilSayDavid Mizrahi C.This image captures the slew of Liam Stacey's controversial tweets after popular football star Fabrice Muamba suffered heart failure during a match in the UK on March 17 (Disclaimer: the link to this screenshot contains explicit content.). After pleading guilty to "racially aggravated harassment," 21-year-old Stacey is serving 56 days in prison and faces expulsion from his university. Stacey's Twitter account has been deleted. to be censored2bleepAJstreamAnother example of Stacey's controversial tweets posted on March 7.liamtweet2AJstreamFabrice Muamba's girlfriend, @ShaunaMuamba, posted to Twitter the following picture to show the vast support behind the footballer after Stacey's tweets drew anger from some fans.muamba1AJstreamAlso in the United Kingdom, John Kerlen, a blogger who goes by the alias Olly Cromwell, is under scrutiny for calling his local Bexley councillor vulgar names via Twitter. Section 127 of the Communications Act of 2003 makes it possible to charge an individual with "improper use of public electronic communications." Some reports say he may face up to six months in prison.
To be censored3bleeppngAJstreamThis photo is posted on Kerlen's blog where he sounded off about authority figures using the same type of language for which he was found guilty. to be censored1bleepAJstreamOne Twitter user compares Kerlen's case with that of Stacey. @SeanInSpain Hmm, this bothers me in a way the Liam Stacey conviction didn't. Is that logical or just my own feelings on n-word vs c-word?Dorian LynskeyThe hashtag #FreeTheBexleyOne has become popular with those supporting Kerlen.Problem using C word to describe politicians is it's a breach of Official Secrets Act! #FreeTheBexleyOneAnthony StonesDear @BexleyCouncil How do you feel being nationally infamous for assaulting free speech as default response to criticism? #freethebexleyoneA Libertarian Rebelfreedom of speech does not exist MT “@edsbrother: A man has been convicted of swearing on twitter. http://bit.ly/Iz3UZp #freethebexleyone”RadOn April 14, Muslim-American Tarek Mehanna was sentenced to serve 17 years in prison on charges of "supporting Al Qaeda" and expressing "sympathetic views" to the group, as well as conspiring to "murder U.S. soldiers in Iraq." The charges came after Mehanna translated documents from Arabic to English and posted his controversial views online. Click here for the translated documents.tarek3AJstreamA poem Mehanna wrote is also the background of the Twitter account @FreeTarek. tarek2AJstreamThis is a photo of protesters outside Mehanna's trial. tarek1AJstreamIn another UK case, Merseyside Cadet Amy Graham was arrested on April 10 on charges of "racial aggravation". On April 9, she tweeted, "I hate Muslims with a passion" under the Twitter handle @AmyJgra. Her account has since been suspended. The story can be found here. amygrahamphotoAJstreamIn the US, UCLA student Alexandra Wallace posted a video in March attacking Asians which quickly went viral. Because of the university's policy supporting free speech and expression, Wallace was not expelled. She later withdrew from the university. UCLA Student Ranting About Asianseuclidianproposition

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The online conundrum: Protect speech or society?

The online conundrum: Protect speech or society?

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