Which countries actually give two hoots for freedom of speech?
From those nice people at World Public Opinion:
Being of a cynical bent, I suspect that certain respondents were thinking in terms of their own religion, rather than religion generally. Or perhaps some of our Middle Eastern chums have decided that they actually rather like the Yahudi.
Anyway, top marks for the Americans, although some 9% seem not to understand the First Amendment. I suppose we get a passing grade with 81% in favour of freedom of speech, while the French have disgraced themselves, frankly.
As the UN General Assembly prepares to debate a proposal calling for nations to take action against the defamation of religion, majorities in 13 of 20 nations polled around the world support the right to criticize a religion. On average, across all countries polled, 57% of respondents agree that "people should be allowed to publicly criticize a religion because people should have freedom of speech." However, an average of 34% of respondents agree that governments "should have the right to fine or imprison people who publicly criticize a religion because such criticism could defame the religion."And a further breakdown of figures:
Being of a cynical bent, I suspect that certain respondents were thinking in terms of their own religion, rather than religion generally. Or perhaps some of our Middle Eastern chums have decided that they actually rather like the Yahudi.
Anyway, top marks for the Americans, although some 9% seem not to understand the First Amendment. I suppose we get a passing grade with 81% in favour of freedom of speech, while the French have disgraced themselves, frankly.
Labels: Liberty
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