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The famed Oxford Union held a debate recently that became rather controversial. This esteemed debating chamber may or may not have held good debates in the past, but it is a symbol of intellectual freedom, which should be applauded.
But a recent debate led to a demonstration within and without the chamber that hit the headlines and threatened the very meaning of free speech. So what, you may ask, was it all about?
It revolved around who the guest speakers were.
One was Nick Griffin, head of the vile right-wing British National Party, and David Irving, a historian who was recently released from prison after denying the Holocaust. So what can we say about these people?
Well, nothing nice. Both have views which I find detestable, but does this mean they should not be allowed to speak in a forum? Not at all. The day we decide what can, and cannot, be considered free speech is the day it becomes something of the past.
But to this I must add a caution.
The reason why these personages were invited to speak had nothing to do with their views, but to purposely cause the controversy that ensued. Yet this act, in itself, can be considered foolhardy in the extreme.
I would defend the right of anyone to speak, provided manners, slander and incitement to violence are taken into account. But I also believe that free speech is never more threatened than when idiots forget that central to the concept is humility.
Censorship by an authority is always wrong. But it requires a degree of self-censorship from fools.
© Anthony North, December 2007
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