On Freedom of Speech, and Medium

I have questions and not many answers

Free speech is undoubtedly one of the hallmarks of an evolved, advanced and free living nation state. Along with fair elections, a healthy, reasonably corruption-free economy, safe streets, and decent public services. Take away just one of these and you have a second world country, say…. Turkey. Take away several of them and you have… Somalia, Pakistan.

Coupled with free speech should also be freedom of the press, and let’s bundle freedom of religion, as we all agree religious oppression is strictly for oppressed countries, not free countries.

Therefore we all agree that free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of religion are some of the essential pillars of a high quality society, along with the other good qualities we listed above.

The terrifying power of misinformation, weaponized digital news media and social media allows for the shitty powers lying in the basement of any society to draw money from the more subversive political wings and manipulate public opinion in a way that can change outcomes in elections, cause public rioting, assassinations, roving gangs intimidating citizens, and the prevention of public services being delivered due to manufactured fear and suspicion.