Griffin ban - Free speech is important

Freedom of speech is a fundamental plank of democracy. To deny anyone the right to express his or her views it to engage in censorship of the worst kind.

Those who would protect society from contrary opinions play into the hands of extremists. Despite the record of the far-right British National Party for stirring up trouble on social, religious, xenophobic, and ethical grounds, or for promoting racial hatred, intolerance, and violence, the withdrawal of an invitation to its leader Nick Griffin, to a UCC debate next month, was blatant censorship. Ironically, the motion before the university’s Government and Politics Society is, The Importance of Free Speech in Modern Society.

In the minds of many at UCC, including academics who welcomed Mr Griffin’s exclusion, that debate is already over. By withdrawing his invitation, following security submissions from gardaí, they have made a mockery of the very principle of free speech.