Free speech and censorship
Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democracy, but should it be absolute?
While open dialogue is essential for progress, not all speech deserves protection—especially when it incites violence, spreads hate, or undermines fundamental human rights. Today, the battle over free expression is not just about government censorship but also about defining its limits.
True free speech empowers people, challenges authority, and fosters understanding. But when words become weapons—fueling racism, fascism, or dehumanization—censorship is not oppression; it is a necessary safeguard. The challenge is not whether we should regulate speech, but how to do so without silencing dissent or eroding democratic values.
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Powerful.
Thanks for your comments. This concept was drawn live at an event about Comics and Politics at Il Fumambolo, a literary café in Benevento, Italy. My original intent was to denounce the repression of free speech. However, I’ve come to realize that this denunciation is now being weaponized by far-right movements and figures (Vance, Musk, and others) to spread fake news and Nazi propaganda under the guise of "free speech."
I would hate for my cartoon to be misused to justify their racist, violent, and anti-human rights rhetoric. I firmly believe that such speech should be stopped, firewalled, and censored. No doubt, they would call me anti-democratic for advocating censorship. But the best response to that accusation is Karl Popper’s paradox: a truly tolerant society must reserve the right to deny tolerance to those who promote intolerance.
Truth should also be protected. Lies should be labeled as such.
Thinking of M.Atwood’s: 'a Hands made tale’, far right regime, punishment by making maids unable to speak...