One of the biggest debates surrounding the legal and ethical issues of freedom of speech regards Kansas preacher, Fred Phelps. Documentary filmmaker, Michael Moore is an outspoken proponent of free speech -- in the following clip, he approaches Phelps' group. However, some would argue that Moore's actions are sometimes over the line of ethical speech -- he sometimes takes speaker's comments out of context in order to prove his point.
What do you think? How far should our legal system go to protect our rights as speakers? Should the government intervene against Phelps? What about Moore?
Watch this video and tell us what you think by posting a comment on this blog post (click "Comments" under the title of the post). It's worth 5 points before class time on June 22nd.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ethics and Propaganda (Morning)
Labels: Morning, Quizzes
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5 comments:
Comment about free speech
Jeffrey Glenn
Society needs outspoken critics to keep democracy alive and thriving. Michael Moore and Mr. Phelps are entitled to their opinions as much as anyone else. It is sad when certain individuals choose to push their views onto others, hoping to draw the majority of the people into adopting their individual beliefs. Now, more than ever, it is possible to do it with the use of the many media outlets available to us. Perhaps Mr. Phelps would not be as popular throughout the country if the news media ignored him. Mr. Phelps has been allowed to reach that level of fame because of the amount of exposure he has been given. He, and his followers, will continue to do so as long as he is given a platform where he can preach. In the video, he was quick to leave the scene when he knew he would look foolish.
Mr. Moore is in the business of informing the masses. It is obvious that he enjoys giving his opinion about many subjects, and he is exercising his freedom of speech to do so. We were instructed to watch a short section of video involving freedom of speech, and in the clip, Mr. Moore used a similar tactic that Mr. Phelps uses to get his point across. Mr. Moore harassed the religious group until they became exasperated and then left the area. I thought it was a fair exchange.
There are many critics of Mr. Moore complaining of his use of shock documentary films, and how biased he can be. However, he should not be singled out since he is not alone and many news outlets along with; politicians, corporations, web sites, and individuals are guilty of it also. Mr. Moore may pull certain bits of information out of context to enhance the shock value of the film, but so does Mr. Phelps when he extracts only the convenient truth out of the Bible.
I believe that each individaul is entitled to their opinion in their freedom of speeech. I think their is a limit to what people should speak about. Michael Moore and Fred Phelps have taken their speaking out a little far. Everyone has their own beliefs so they should not try and push their beliefs onto others. I agree with Jeff, as long as they have that platform to speak out and preach they are going to no matter what. --Lauren Channel
I can't believe the way that this pastor and his church treats other humans. i don't even think it is wrong because they say they are Christians...it is just as anyone treating another person liek that. If someone does not agreewith the lifestyle of another person, it does not give make it right to act that way. I would not say I agree wholly with the way Moore went ablout it either but I see the point he is trying to make.It does not matter if a person is gay or not they still have the right to live their own life. It is crazy to me that members of a church would protest at a funeral. They have the right to have a peaceful time for their families to grieve their loss. If that church does not agree with the gay community, there has got to be a better way to handle it , then what they are doing. -Melissa Ferrai-
The pastor does have his freedom of speech but he crosses the line. There is a line between your a opinion and someones privacy. Just because he doesn't like gay people it doesn't mean he has to go and protest and tell them uncalled for things. He has his opinion and so do other people so he should just deal with it and not make peoples funerals even worse its already bad enough that the family has lost a loved one. What Moore did was not something i would completely agree with but i saw what his point, i think he got it across to the pastor as well.
-Claudia De Santiago-
I personally believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that both of these men were within their constitutional rights. As fas as still within the norms/socially acceptable limits of society, thats another story. I personally believe that the government should already have some kind of way/procedure of dealing with things like this as they arise, but now it has gotten to a level where I don't even think the government would know how to deal with these people, without violating their constitutional rights.
I agree with Claudia. He should not be allowed within a 100miles of a funeral. Funerals are already hard enough for everyone, the greiving friends and families do not need someone protesting and causing a scene, only making everything worse.
-Allison Archer-
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