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Recent
events insist that all those internationally who aspire
for freedom and understanding among people, talk about
the fallacy of "absolute rights." The freedom
of expression, as it bears itself out in both the
right to speak, print, draw or march, is a fundamental
building block of open society. However, as we all
must remember, and be reminded it seems, with freedom
comes great responsibility. The Danish cartoons, discussion
of which has been ubiquitous, as well as the failed
Loyalist march and subsequent riot in Dublin, are
examples of the desire to up hold the bold notion
of free expression without consideration of the who
is accountable for the outcome.
Item 1. "The Parades" Ireland, now North
and South, is historically rich with examples of how
even seemingly beautiful parades can be incendiary.
I've listened to detailed tit for tat arguments about
the fault of each side for the Dublin riots. To some,
the concept of the Love Ulster parade was offensive,
while others could not see past what appeared to be
planned placement of mobs. What should be most off
putting is the lack of planning and control exerted
by the authorities. There is no excuse for the violence
that ensued, and I shall offer no justification for
this behavior. However, the logistical failure of
those whose duty it was to protect everyone involved,
including marchers, merchants, on lookers was inexcusable.
The 'right' to openly associate, protest or march
can only come off successfully if the authorities
intercede to be certain the plans do not include foreseeable
disaster. Without speaking directly to this particular
instance, the 'powers that be' should be wise enough
to make common sense determinations regarding any
planned marches or demonstrations. Moving groups away
from areas that are difficult to secure, as well as
solid review of areas to be involved for potential
problems would seem a number one priority. A saying
I have heard is, "Freedom isn't Free." How
true that is with this particular freedom. The time
and monetary cost to the authorities is great, but
necessary, to allow people to gather freely and openly
without creating the potential for anarchy.
Item 2. "The Cartoons" Freedom of the press
is practically a commandment in much of the western
world. It is essential that media outlets be able
to report without fear of government reprisal. However,
this 'right' is ideally envisioned with a counterbalance;
the media has editors and publishers who use good
judgment when printing/broadcasting material. Laws
are in place for victims of libel to seek recourse.
This helps keep the media honest, so to speak. The
system has been working, to varying degrees of success,
in localities all over the world for a long time.
The world, as we all know, is becoming a much smaller
place, information moves quickly and the mantle of
responsibility on media outlets grows heavy. In the
purest sense, perhaps the right to publish deeply
offensive material exists, as would argue pornographers.
Daily newspapers however should consider themselves
held to a higher standard. If freedom of the press
is to survive as a bedrock notion journalists must
govern themselves. As with the parades, this freedom
is also not free, it comes through the hard work,
careful consideration and good sense of editors and
publishers around the world who walk a fine line between
informing (which evidenced by letters to the editor
everywhere is always offending someone) and offending
for it's own sake, or worse to prove the press is
really free.
Rights are not absolute, they require balance. Likewise
they are costly, and it appears their price is rising
all the time. We cannot, nor to we wish to live without
them so we must pay for them. Editors that over look
the virtual power keg between east and west are analogous
to police leaving a controversial parade route lined
with paving stones. The violence that breaks out is
not right, but it is predictable. The right to expression
must be labored over, as should anything that is valuable
and worth having.
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