Arrested for speaking too freely

Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of the social media network Telegram, was arrested in France for his unrelenting stance on freedom of speech within his company and Telegram’s users.

Freedom of speech is one of those issues that immediately gets a rise out of me. I thoroughly enjoy my freedom to speak, and do so often. In this country I am able to express my many viewpoints, even if they are unpopular. I enjoy the ability to speak about my religious convictions. I love the freedom to have conversations with people, even when we disagree. It is often through these conversations with different viewpoints where we are able to establish better understanding of another person.

But this case with Durov brings light to the underbelly of free speech. A cursory look into the case reveals that having free speech can create victims. Telegram is accused of not doing enough to protect children from traffickers through their network, or preventing underage images from circulating online.

It is when we see the shadows of these free platforms where the real conversation comes in: when, if ever, do we step in and prevent or protect victims of free speech.

Why free speech is necessary

One of the most inspiring effects of free speech is the power it gives otherwise ignored and often oppressed people groups. For much of human history, our human story has been written by those who have been able to accumulate power. With the rise of the freedom of speech came with it a democratization of power. That those who are lowly in a society can now speak truth to power, to assemble like-minded thinkers, and inspire change. All through the power of words.

Free speech, because it encourages voices from among the masses, produces a certain type of health. Certainly we see the unhealthy in the comment sections of YouTube videos or nasty Facebook posts. But this comes with the general health free speech gives communities. It is healthy for societies to have diverse voices and thoughts for public discourse. How else will we see the other side, to uplift the poor and marginalized, to humanize our distant neighbors? Power tends to congregate among people who look, sound, and think like one another. Free speech smashes the status quo and allows someone different to bring a necessary balance to the table.

Free speech is a natural check on those who hold the most power in a society.

The case for limiting speech

I think the most worthy argument for limiting free speech is for the sake of the vulnerable. Notice, this is the same group that should benefit from free speech to begin with. Should we allow speech that is hateful to a group of people? Or an individual? Do we not have the obligation to prevent bullying and the incitement of violence? In the case of Telegram, it may be that the leadership there was not doing their part to stamp out child pornography and other heinous material. Should we not do what we can to remove that type of content and pursue justice against those who harm children, or any person for that matter?

Finding the middle

A lot of the people that I look to for information and a wise word were very fired up about this. That this surely is unjust and an infraction on free speech.

While free speech is important, I think it is important to remember what exactly it is all for. If free speech is the banner under which terrible things happen to people unable to defend themselves, then it doesn’t sound very free to me.

I cannot fathom what it is like to run a social media network with nearly one billion users like Durov is. But with that much influence, Durov carries with him the highest bars of responsibility. I cannot say if he is guilty or innocent. But if he is found guilty, then it means he was not using his place of influence to care for the weakest in our society.

It should serve as a poignant reminder to all of us that the key to fixing bad speech is better speech. If we see something evil happening in the world, we have the freedom to speak and act against that evil.

Those without a voice are depending on those who have one.

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