Re:France announces crackdown on people reading extremist We...
by talmand on Thursday March 22, 2012 @10:12AM
(#3739729)
It probably wouldn't be considered a free speech issue since they are not targeting the speech, just those who consume it. I would imagine it's more of a privacy issue since they would have to track the browsing habits of every single person in France to make sure they are only viewing "acceptable" websites, whatever that happens to be on any given day.
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Re:France announces crackdown on people reading extremist We...
by read_wharf on Thursday March 22, 2012 @10:24AM
(#3739796)
If you're allowed to say what you want, but no one is allowed to listen to it, then you don't have free speech. The logical reason for free speech is communication.
Re:France announces crackdown on people reading extremist We...
by talmand on Friday March 23, 2012 @09:31AM
(#3745025)
But the websites' free speech would be heard, it's just the issue is punishing people for hearing it after the fact. If we were talking about shutting down the sites to prevent people from hearing it then I would agree. An example would be you standing on the corner denouncing the government and the people walking by that heard your speech being arrested simply for hearing it, while you are left alone to continue your speech.
Granted, the original statement is an idiotic one and a good indicator of the thought process of power-hungry fools who don't understand the purpose of law intended for the protection of the people.