Cancel Culture and Freedom of Speech: A Delicate Balance Cancel culture has become a controversial topic in recent years, especially in English-speaking countries.
📋 Exam Question
Lately we have seen several public figures being cancelled* for something they have expressed that others have regarded as controversial.
Read the material.
Referring to the material below, reflect on whether cancel culture is a challenge to freedom of speech in English-speaking countries.
*Miriam-Webster definition of cancelling and cancel culture:
To withdraw one's support for (someone, such as a celebrity, or something, such as a company) publicly and especially on social media as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure.
- Article 19 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights
"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
Source: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights. Retrieved: 24.03.22
Quote 1:
“I agree that freedom of speech is important, but it must be freedom of speech with responsibility. And we must not lose the ability to listen to and accept the opinions of others. And indeed, I have to admit that I'm not opposed to the idea that the cancellation of many of the ideologies and personalities was, in most cases, long, long overdue.”
- Frances G. Flake, Social commentator
Quote 2:
“I do get a sense sometimes now among certain young people, and this is accelerated by social media, there is this sense sometimes of: ‘The way of me making change is to be as judgmental as possible about other people,’ and that’s enough. Like, if I tweet or hashtag about how you didn’t do something right or used the wrong verb, then I can sit back and feel pretty good about myself. […] That’s not activism. That’s not bringing about change. If all you’re doing is casting stones, you’re probably not going to get that far. That’s easy to do.”
- Barack Obama, former President of the USA
Source: New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/obama-woke-cancel-culture.html. Retrieved: 09.03.22
- Pictures
- Picture 1: Actor Kevin Hart was cancelled for making homophobic slurs
- Picture 2: Author J. K. Rowling was cancelled for her comments made about
- trans people
- Picture 3: Disney's 1941 film Dumbo was cancelled for its portrayal of African
- Americans.
✏️ Model Answer
Cancel Culture and Freedom of Speech: A Delicate Balance
Cancel culture has become a controversial topic in recent years, especially in English-speaking countries. From celebrities like J.K. Rowling to classic films like Dumbo, individuals and cultural products have faced public backlash for statements or representations that are seen as offensive. But is cancel culture a threat to freedom of speech—or is it a form of accountability?
According to Article 19 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression…” This includes the right to speak without censorship. In a democracy, people must be free to express controversial or unpopular opinions. At the same time, others have the right to react, criticize, or withdraw support. Cancel culture operates in this grey zone, where public opinion and social media create pressure that can sometimes resemble censorship. …