Posted by SHOW DOWN |
X owner Elon Musk posts in support of ‘Free Speech Ireland’ ahead of Seanad debate
“Destroying freedom of speech means destroying democracy”, Mr Musk wrote on the X platform.
Níall Feiritear
Today at 14:20
Billionaire Elon Musk has posted a video from the ‘Free Speech Ireland’ group on his X platform backing the opposition to the Irish Government’s new hate speech bill.
The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill is at the third stage of the Irish Senate.
Opponents claim the new laws could give the state the right to seize personal electronic devices and prescribe prison sentences for those guilty of “hate speech” or deemed to be in possession of “hateful material,” even without intent to distribute.
However, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has denied the bill will affect free speech and said it contains safeguards to ensure people can still debate ideas openly and freely.
“Destroying freedom of speech means destroying democracy,” Mr Musk wrote on the X platform.
The bill seeks to criminalise what it calls “incitement to violence or hatred against a person or a group of persons on account of certain characteristics”, which refers to race, gender, religion, and “descent”.
The legislation also seeks to create an offence of “condoning, denying or grossly trivialising genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace.”
This week an organisation called Free Speech Ireland – which was founded by students in University College Cork – launched a campaign called “bin the bill”.
In a statement, the group said: “Across Ireland our message will be displayed on billboards and social media platforms informing the Irish public of the threat that hate speech legislation poses to their right to free expression.”
CEO Sarah O’Reilly said: “Helen McEntee’s legislation threatens to criminalise individual citizens for the mere possession of material deemed to be offensive, even if they had no intention of sharing it with others if they cannot prove this to be the case.
“This innocent until proven guilty framework is fundamentally incompatible with the principles of our democracy.
“Worryingly, this bill is likely to also impact freedom of speech across Europe and even the world, as it will make social media firms like X and Meta beholden to Irish censors.”
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, recently defended the proposed regulations.
“Some have erroneously claimed there is significant opposition to the legislation because of the false belief that offensive speech would be criminalised – when this is not what is being proposed,” said the Minister, adding that protection for freedom of expression was “provided for in the Bill”.
Minister McEntee said under the new laws people will be able make statements which are “offensive” or “make others feel uncomfortable” whilst having “full and robust debate”.
However, they “cannot incite hated or violence against others,” she said.
about:blank
Donald Trump Jr also commented on the bill last year when he wrote: “It’s insane what’s happening in the “free world.”
Former Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell has also come out against the new legislation.
Simon Harris – who was interim justice minister when Donald Trump Jnr spoke out – responded by telling reporters that when someone from the Trump family took a contrary view it was “not a bad day at the office”.
Who Watches the Watchers? 