NationStates Jolt Archive

Freedom of Speech
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

Category: Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Zemnaya Svoboda

Description: A Declaration of the Freedom of Speech:

WHEREAS the freedom of thought and speech is a self-evident requirement for any free society,

WHEREAS the curtailment of dissent leads to myopia and stagnation,

The World Assembly:

1. DEFINES Freedom of Speech as the ability to think and distribute ideas in any form.

2. DEFINES Protected Speech as Freedom of Speech which does not directly cause harm to persons or property.

3. MANDATES that all member Nations not impinge upon Protected Speech, and protect the exercise thereof.

4. DEFINES Fair Use as the ability to refer to the ideas and knowledge stated by others, as part of original statements.

5. Specifically PERMITS the imposition of Copyright as a form of property to be protected as long as Fair Use is preserved.

Approvals: 69 (Zemnaya Svoboda, Oodges, Armi Lan, Minqi, Jacobish, The Artic Republics, Chazzistan, Global Rule, Jimmy Hart, Azemica, Roma SPQR Latium, Gibraltenstein, Satansylvania, Dwightonville, Outlawed States, WA Rep for UEFF, The Goddess Ayanami, Ashtii, ThePineapple, Hagargentina, Cordova I, Imperium De Mundi, Graalium, Chicheleg, Pannonia and Dalmatia, South Lorenya, Ventei, Eastshore, Varavano, Fertolandia, Endolantron, Benedictinople, Fariba Tabrizi, Boriquen Isla, Kleinekatzen, Eiga-Baka, A Place to be Somebody, Balance of Judgment, Klianjyi, Comrade Hayden, Alagaziar, Punggol, Worldia555, Monkeys with TommyGuns, Tilgate, Khullar, Sci, Ikonja, Zirp, The Wookie Clan, Bhkistan, Moon god, Charlotte Ryberg, Scififanaticz, Great New France, Jayedom, the Restless Woman, The GMK, Theocracyes, Kazzan, Golfika, Filth-y Hippies, Penguinion, Misplaced States, Brunelian BG advocates, Yuehan land, Vexic, SkillCrossbones, Mariocity)

Status: Lacking Support (requires 32 more approvals)

Voting Ends: Thu Jul 24 2008 First off, before you ask, this is not mine, nor am I part of the effort to get this to quorum. But seeing how this is only 32 approvals from quorum, with two days to go, I figured this deserved a topic.

The proposal does obviously create serious problems (aside from the invocation of c---right, which will surely summon the Dread Disco Dumbass Lord), especially where "directly causes harm to persons or property" is concerned. I don't think any form of speech itself "directly" causes harm. Not even inciting a riot, though not protected speech by any stretch, "directly causes harm." Then you get into slander and libel and leaking classified materials and pornography and you got yourselves one fantastic mess. Anywho, while I hope this doesn't make quorum, it certainly merits a heads-up.

Opposed.

P.S. "Thessadorian Ambassador" poll options (obviously) mean you abstain.

Not even inciting a riot, though not protected speech by any stretch, "directly causes harm." Then you get into slander and libel and leaking classified materials and pornography and you got yourselves one fantastic mess.

None of those instances cause physical harm directly, but they do directly cause emotional harm. I'm not sure it's quite as big a mess as you make it out to be.

There are enough theocracies in the WA, though, that make me highly doubt this will pass.

This is a fairly good proposal. I will approve it so all corners of the WA can decide. I believe in an open debate.

I held the freedom of speech high. I think that sometimes a government has to restrict it when severe harm will be done to other person(s) (e.g. when other rights come in). But I think it is to much to say that when it does cause harm to persons or property the freedom of speech is not there. I think theocracies and dictatorship will love this proposal, they can set it to their cause to restrict freedom of speech.
Also I do not support copyrights. OK, it only says it permits copyrights as long as fair use is preserved, but fair use can be restricted quite strong.

So I think this proposal will get the opposite as the result of what the author wants.

Cocoamok,
WA Delegate for Intelligentsia Islands

I cannot use the poll because I will never say god saves us. I do not know if a god exists, so I think it is my duty to try to change the world by myself and with the help of others. But I think you all will know what I think.
Greetings,
Cocoamok

Eh. It's not much good, but at least it's not a disaster. I'm currently in the abstaining camp, but I could be persuaded either way.

abstain. micromanaging nationstates shouldn't be the objective of the WA.

We have issues with these clauses:

1. DEFINES Freedom of Speech as the ability to think and distribute ideas in any form.

2. DEFINES Protected Speech as Freedom of Speech which does not directly cause harm to persons or property.

We find "any form" in clause 1 to be too open-ended. We also have an issue with the phrasing "directly cause harm" in clause 2, and agree with the rep from SchutteGod that said clause could lead to one fine mess indeed.

We've declined to endorse this proposal and will campaign against it in the unfortunate event that it makes quorum.

-Irina Misheli, Deputy Ambassador

I cannot use the poll because I will never say god saves us. I do not know if a god exists,...Well, it's nice to know he gave you Barack Obama's sense of humor at any rate. Lighten up and vote in the stupid poll.

If this gets passed country is leaving the World Assembly!

If this gets passed country is leaving the World Assembly!

I feel compelled to point out that threats like that have never worked to stop WA or UN resolutions from passing.

Bob Flibble
WA Representative

Actually, I think this is pretty good. In many ways, I like the vagueness of certain clauses; it gives countries some leeway for interpretation, and allows local definations, without actually acting as a loophole

If this gets passed country is leaving the World Assembly!

actually, your best bet is to remain and fight the beast from within.

I suppose there's no chance of getting it deleted for category violation (or appalling grammar)?

Assuming not, we are willing to help in the repeal efforts.

Well, it's nice to know he gave you Barack Obama's sense of humor at any rate. Lighten up and vote in the stupid poll.

Ehm? Who is he? Who is Barack Obama? What is his sense of humor?
Three simple questions, but maybe a bit difficult to answer. But for the World Assembly forum I only need answer on the last one. Maybe that is easy and short.

But even if I have the answers it will be difficult to vote in a stupid poll.

No problem for me, no problem for my dear colleague SchutteGod either I hope.

Totally yours,
Cocoamok

abstain. micromanaging nationstates shouldn't be the objective of the WA.

You must be new. :cool:

You must be new. :cool:

/grinning

join date is the same as the date i created my NS, sometime in June this year; only have 161 million in population count, so yeah, newbie.

I think I can help with making Free Speech a reality.

Er, it appears to have run out of time. Or was deleted.

It ran out of time, that's the reason.

No, not everyone got right to speech. They are not free, and i think that is damn good to!

Please lock this thread.