FREEDOM OF SPEECH

FREEDOM OF SPEECH:
We live in a world in which people are censured, demoted, imprisoned, beheaded, simply because they have opened their mouths, flapped their lips, and vibrated some air. Yes, those vibrations can make us feel sad or stupid or alienated. When all the words in our public conversation are fair, good, and true, it's time to make a run for the fence.
Lately I've noticed that when widely followed public figures( and we all know who) feel free to say anything, without any fact-checking, it becomes impossible for a democracy to think intelligently about big issues.
The only security of all is in a free press and the allowing of every side of the story,not just the ones we feel comfortable with. If freedom of speech means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.
Understand that once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.
Know that whoever would overthrow the freedoms of a nation must first begin by subduing the freeness of speech.
If you're not going to use your free speech to criticize your own government, then what the hell is the point of having it? Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear. Remember that restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions and must not be tolerated.

RECENTLY: 

The hysteria over Zaky Mallah on Q&A 

The prime minister suggesting the ABC was treacherous is ludicrous. Typical of a liberal backbencher to declare the broadcaster had engaged in a “form of sedition”. Just another ploy to discredit and muzzle the ABC. Well, NO! We need the ABC and the allowing of freedom of speech in this country which is slowing being undermined by a fear mongering, backward thinking, extremest government. Forcing Richard Finlayson to give a grovelling apology is is paramount to tyranny. I am disgusted and ashamed of this government. They have become the lowest of the low. 
As for Mallah, he is still dumb and naive.
As for Abbott, keep showing us all your true colours......it all stacks up for the next federal election.