Social responsibility V.S. freedom of speech
I think that Singapore should adopt Szilagyi’s view instead of Singer’s. Like what the question have stated, Singapore is a multi-racial country. If we were given total freedom of speech, which means that public can express their views in ideas that everyone else believes to be wrong, or even what many people find offensive, then there will be a rise of hostility and prejudice. In my opinion, although Singapore claims to be racial harmony, but there are still some gaps in-between the different religious group or racial groups. Therefore, it is important or us to keep our opinions to ourselves and not pour everything out. This will prevent the rise of the hidden tension. Moreover, Singapore is a small country with almost no natural resource. It survives by man power and the most precious resource in Singapore is its people, not only local people, but also foreign talent. Hence, It is important to live peacefully with each other. Singapore cannot afford to cause a racial riot. Prevention is important.
In addition, I think Szilagyi brought up an important point about social responsibility. He states that it is the press responsibility to limit the media output. This is because, once a piece of opinion is out, it become very subjective. Everybody have a different way of interpretation. In addition, some media might even manipulate it until it cause rise of conflicts. I agree that freedom of speech is essential for all democratic country. However, it is more important for the press to filter what is to be published, since public responsibility can be more easily measure as compared to freedom of speech, which have never been justify. Take for example, the Holocaust of the cartoon drawing about Islam. It was told that the Europeans convention on human rights and Fundamental Freedoms states that: “Everyone has the right to freedom if expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.” However, why is David Irving imprisoned? If, the press takes the initiative not to publish the drawing or not to spread it, I think the holocaust can be prevented. The media should have thought of this question before they publish the drawing: “Why do they want to publish negative opinion on Islam in areas where they are already hostile against?”
Therefore, imposing social responsibility in the press is more important then justifying what is freedom of speech and should it be granted