By The Expose
In both the United Kingdom and the United States, the principle of free speech—the right to express opinions without censorship or restraint—has long been a cornerstone of democracy.
However, the past decade has witnessed a significant decline in this fundamental right.
While some might argue that these changes are necessary for protecting individuals from hate speech and misinformation, others rightly worry that they signify an erosion of democratic values.
Shrinking Freedom in the United Kingdom
Online Harms White Paper:
Introduced in April 2019, the Online Harms White Paper outlined the UK government’s plan to make the UK “the safest place in the world to be online.”
The proposal recommends establishing a new independent regulator for social media sites, platforms, and other online services.
Companies would be legally required to take action against a defined set of online harms, ranging from illegal activity and content to behaviors that are harmful but not necessarily illegal.
While protecting users, particularly children, from online harm is paramount, critics argue that the White Paper’s language is vague and extremely suppressive.
For example, one provision addresses “disinformation” and “fake news” without providing a clear definition for these terms, leading to worries that it could be manipulated to curtail free speech.
PERCEPTION RESET 