Ok earlier I posted a statement about ways to stop gay bashing (See my "A better plan for Yahoo! to stop bashing" question) Alot of people stated something about freedom of speech against filtering bashers questions.
Well the law says yes you have freedom of speech but that does not included hurting other individuals and slandering them. Don't you agree that flitering for this reason is right?
Please express your opinions.
2006-10-24 12:32:49 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
I am very much an advocate for free speech, but as with any right there are limitations.
Bashing on this site is rife, offensive and not remotely educational or productive - these people are not exercising their freedom of speech, they are acting out a freedom to abuse - of which there is no right - just as there is no right to murder or rape (even though these would be the ultimate freedoms to do what you wished).
Essentially in order to preserve rights, they MUST have their limitations - in this case filtering and reporting.
So, yes you are right, and yes they are wrong (and *****).
2006-10-24 12:45:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All right, I looked at your questions. Here's my thoughts.
Restricting straight people from gay areas of the site? Ridiculous. As if straight people can't answer questions and give good advice. It makes them all out to be bashers, separates and divides, and is just plain bad thinking. Not to mention that anyone whose sexual preferences change will be in a bind. Also- why in the world couldn't someone just lie to get here to bash?
Having online moderators who screen questions? Good idea, but then it comes to the question of what exactly is inappropriate. I know it seems obvious, but some people ask questions that are truly curious if somewhat ridiculous, and are instantly taken to be bashers. I don't know how many posts I've seen of people begging "Don't flame me, I just want to know", etc.. Not to mention that this might not be cost effective- every time someone else gets hired, Yahoo has to pay for it from their advertisement money- and they either need to be more popular so that advertisers want them, or cut back.
Yahoo is a free, private site that can do whatever it likes. It is not so much freedom of speech as freedom of Yahoo, and no one can demand that they do anything, no matter how vile bashing is.
My solution? Stop pandering to the bashers. When they write an idiotic comment, leave it be. Don't fight, don't defend, don't insult, much as they deserve all. Just don't engage; pretend they don't exist. Don't ask new questions or rants about them- it only brings them more attention. Leave them in the dark where they should be. Just my two cents.
2006-10-25 03:24:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I tend to agreen with Just_ine here. Freedom of speech is one thing but Yahoo has a responsibility to make this a safe place, as she said. I rarely venture to other venues here on Y!A other than here and the pet community occasionally. I don't know if there is equally offensive posts going on elsewhere or not. However, there has to be a way that Yahoo can crack down on the bashing, hate, and often threats that we get here. With all the computer technology that is out there there has to be a way to track IP addresses to those repeat offenders and block and ban. Just my 2 cents worth! But I agree with you. There has to be some means of filtering out the troublemakers!
2006-10-24 20:04:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, our freedom of speech should be protected and we should all have the right to saw what we think. But we should also have the right not to be harassed, slandered, or libeled in public. So we should find a way to balance those rights.
I think people should have the right to ask genuine inquiries or express reasonable statements. But it is fair to restrict name-calling and statements made solely to incite violence or hate.
Also, Yahoo is a private company, and everyone here signed their user agreement. Yahoo has the right to restrict and filter postings as they see fit... if someone doesn't like it they are free to terminate their agreement with Yahoo and post on another site.
2006-10-24 19:46:15 · answer #4 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes
I have great respect for our freedom of speech but those freedoms stop at My Eyes, My Ears and My body!
What bothers me is that they'll say I have also the right to not read what they say, which is true...BUT...they come in here, we don't go to them. This is OUR space provided by Yahoo! and I feel Yahoo! should also have some responsibility in making this a "safe place."
2006-10-24 19:47:56 · answer #5 · answered by DEATH 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is the freedom of speech; BUT you still can't yell "FIRE" in a crowded theater; You'll be endangering others. Slander is about the same but you have to prove it in a court of law that what the other person says brings "harm" to you or someone else.
2006-10-24 19:47:05 · answer #6 · answered by grumpyfiend 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Furthermore: yahoo is a privately run website. It's not a public forum / government sponsored or anything. there's no promise of free speech here. They can make whatever rules they want.
2006-10-25 04:53:16 · answer #7 · answered by Atropis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teresa , this is a private site
Slandering , how has this damaged you , we dont even know "you"
Yelling fire in a theater - thats a stupid comparison.
Quit whining and enjoy this site or go to another one.
I get so tired of people that think they are lawyers and dont have a clue. You people watch to much TV
.
2006-10-24 20:10:46 · answer #8 · answered by Oddwing 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋