Activity 6: The Debate

Before Hitler came to power, Germany was ruled by a weak but democratic government which allowed the Nazis the right of free speech.

When Hitler and the Nazis came to power they removed this right of free speech from the German population. 

Today in Britain and across Europe there are small fascist parties who use the democratic privileges of the countries they live in to spread racist and hate-filled propaganda.  They justify their actions by saying they have the right to an opinion and the right to freedom of speech.  If these parties were in power, however, they would take away this right from people who opposed them, just like the Nazis did.

So this is one of the problems with saying everyone is entitled to freedom of speech and expression.  What do you think?



Should those who would deny free speech to others have the right to exercise it themselves?
 

Here are two articles that set out opposing points of view. Both articles are from The Guardian.

Read them carefully then discuss the questions that follow

Article 1

Article 2