Free speech is a cornerstone of democracy and a fundamental human right, enshrined in many international treaties and constitutions. However, throughout history, governments and other actors have been suppressing free speech for various reasons.

One of the earliest examples of free speech suppression can be found in ancient Greece, where philosophers such as Socrates were put to death for their beliefs and teachings. In medieval Europe, the Catholic Church suppressed free speech by burning books and executing individuals who held dissenting views.

Free speech gained greater prominence during the Enlightenment, but it was not until the 20th century that the right to free speech was widely recognized as a fundamental human right. Despite this, governments have continued to suppress free speech worldwide through censorship or force.

In the 20th century, fascist and communist regimes were known for suppressing free speech and dissent. For example, in Nazi Germany, any dissent was swiftly dealt with, and in Soviet Russia, any criticism of the government was treated as treason.

More recently, the rise of authoritarian regimes in various countries has again led to the suppression of free speech. In many countries, journalists who report on sensitive topics are arrested, tortured, or murdered. Social media platforms are also often censored or blocked, and individuals who express dissenting views risk being arrested or imprisoned.

This shocking admission from Vijaya Gadde, a former Twitter executive, reveals the deeply-held biases that govern the platforms we use every day. The censorship rules are applied unevenly, sometimes resulting in the silencing of voices that should be heard. It's more important than ever to support free speech, even when it may be unpopular or controversial. We must strive to create a culture of open dialogue and understanding and work to ensure that our platforms are used to spread knowledge, not censorship.

In conclusion, the suppression of free speech is a recurring historical phenomenon. Despite being recognized as a fundamental human right, governments and other actors have frequently suppressed free speech for political or ideological reasons. To safeguard this right, individuals and organizations must work to promote and protect free speech domestically and internationally.

Here at Fight Back Media and The Swansen Report urge one and all to support free speech regardless of the presented ideas.

https://jonathanturley.org/2023/02/09/free-speech-for-whom-former-twitter-executive-makes-chilling-admission-on-the-nuanced-standard-used-for-censorship/