Freedom of Speech vs Moral Responsibility: The only restraint on speech should be self restraint (beliefs)

[Fluffy]

On another thread, posters were heavily divided over the issue of free speech. On one side, there were those who wanted completely freedom of speech. On the other, there were those who wanted a degree of moral responsibility to accompany speech.

However, it seemed to me as if a compromise could be reached which would accommodate both sides entirely. I suggest that:

The only restraint on speech should be self restraint.

If those who want free speech simply don't want any legal restriction on free speech then this should not pose a problem for them. Similarly if those who want people to speak responsibly wish for it to be a genuinely moral act then this should not pose a problem for them.

So I ask each side, is this condition sufficient to accommodate your beliefs?

[Sunstone]

There's the problem of someone yelling "fire" in a crowded theater. How do you deal with that, Fluffy?

[angellous_evangellous]

There's also the problem of speech that causes injury. Yelling fire when there isn't one surely is a good example, but also there's purgury, libel, slander, and hate speech that all cause loss of property as well as emotional/psychological harm.

[doppelgänger]

I'm against all "prior restraint" on speech. But should one who harms others by their speech in ways they know or should have known would cause real injury be civilly or criminally liable for damages so caused? Would this cover "Fire!" in a theater when there is no fire, and libel/slander?

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

I'm against all "prior restraint" on speech. But should one who harms others by their speech in ways they know or should have known would cause real injury be civilly or criminally liable for damages so caused? Would this cover "Fire!" in a theater when there is no fire, and libel/slander?

Yes.

.....

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

But should one who harms others by their speech in ways they know or should have known would cause real injury be civilly or criminally liable for damages so caused?

Most assuredly, Sir.

[angellous_evangellous]

Remember when Oprah slandered the beef industry? We made her come to Amarillo and sued her.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

Remember when Oprah slandered the beef industry? We made her come to Amarillo and sued her.

How'd that turn out?