Here is what I wrote for my site:
Freedom of Speech
By definition freedom of speech is an individual’s right as a human being to say what he or she pleases. As well as the freedom of expression which is the right to hear, read and or in any way observe what another individual has said. The right to free speech is believed to be the most essential human right and should be the standard.
"Display the Blue Ribbon to support the essential human right of free speech, a fundamental building block of free society, affirmed by the U.S. Bill of Rights in 1791 and by the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. - http://www.eff.org/br/"
Internet Forums that are not Pro-Free Speech may be like:
1. A member is banned for having an opposing view.
2. Banned for debating and or arguing without violation of slander laws or intent to cause disruption. It should be ok to create debates as this is an act of socialization and it also should be condonable to create conversations in which opposition might arise. Some forums without a free speech policy might consider this mild trolling.
3. The management is intolerant of others views and uses his or her position of authority to threaten administrative actions for opposing views. Such is the case in some social online groups that might demand a certain believed political view and anything otherwise is not welcome or equally respected as a right to say and observe.
4. A member is banned for disagreeing with the owner of, moderator for or administrator of a forum community. Noting the disagreement in this example is to one of authority and not socially abusive, however having a differing opinion the individual in position of authority doesn’t like, appreciate or agree so the member is banned or terminated. In a fair setting, that is one where all are equals an individual is an individual and equally rightful to disagree or criticize actions, inactions, methodologies or anything else socially of the administration without fear of retribution.
5. Demands only expressions meeting a certain standard of rule such as positivism. May require an individual to condition him or herself to a social philosophy that disallows what would otherwise be acts of free speech and expression.
6. A social rule of trolling is used and if observed to be of it’s definition one is considered troll-like and banned or said to be a troll. Any and all trolling policies are not respected as policies allowing free speech and shouldn't be used as it conflicts with freedom of speech and expression.
Some things this site does not approve of:
1. The right to spam online forums with your views, advertisements or any information over and over again. While you may re-present your views if the topic is relevant or related to another please do not post multiple times the same information.
2. To purposely cause social havoc and disturbance. You have the right to disagree and even argue but for instance going around and arguing with the same person in every post for a non-related topic is not welcome.
3. You may not purposely and knowingly incite racial and religious hatred. If complaints are observed you will be notified via your membership account.
4. You may not make fun of, make lesser of or in any way discriminate against another individual because of his or her disabilities or differences.
Links and Resources Concerning Internet Free Speech..
The ACLU or American Civil Liberties Union
http://www.aclu.org/Privacy/Privacylist.cfm?c=252
Public Citizen - Internet Free Speech
http://www.citizen.org/litigation/brief ... /index.cfm
31 Dec 2005, 6:37 pm
