The extent of freedom of speech in Singapore's multi-racial society.

In the article " Free Speech, Muhammad, and the Holocaust" the author Peter Singer states that each and everyone of us should be given total freedom of speech to express our thoughts and views regardless of the sensitivity of the issue. He thinks that even the controversial Danish cartoons about Prophet Muhammad was just a way the cartoonist expressed his feelings and that there is no point in questioning his acts. As he stated in his article "freedom of speech is essential to democratic regimes, and it must include the freedom to say what everyone else believes to be false, and even what many people find offensive."

In contrast, the author Zsofia Szilagyi from the International Herald Tribune believes that freedom of speech should be allowed and appreciated provided it does to hurt any one's feelings. She thinks that the press should not have published the Danish cartoons when they know that it might cause a great uproar from the Islamic nations. She thinks that social responsibility is the key to prevent such controversial situations. As she says in her article "In our networked world, the existing societal and political tensions can be inflamed instantly through the transfer of messages from one cultural context to another."

I think that author Zsofia Szilagyi's views are more applicable to our multiracial Singapore. People should try to understand that sometimes saying nothing is better than saying something that hurts. It is important to understand others feelings and respect them in order for peace to be upheld in a nation or a community or even at home. If we take the peace that we experience now in Singapore and start saying bad things about different religions we will be in the danger of starting another racial riot. The previous racial riot that took place in Singapore was the Maria Hertogh riot between the native Malays and the Europeans 11Th December 1950. It continued for three gruesome days in which eighteen people were killed and about 173 people were injured badly.

In order to prevent disputes between different racial groups it is highly important for the public to be responsible of their actions. If the unity among Singaporeans is disturbed, Singapore will not be able to prosper and grow just like how a bee hive becomes useless when a stone hits it and a commotion occurs in the hive and eventually all the bees leave the hive. Hence it is social responsibility to be sensitive of the issues they raise to maintain peace and harmony in Singapore. We should also respect each others culture and traditions. This view is enforced in Singaporeans right from the beginning through primary education and also through the commemoration of Racial Harmony Day.

Happy Racial Harmony Day people !!!