Tackling hateful views means confronting them

NEWS

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The UK government has barred a number of far-right speakers from entering the country in recent weeks. Index on Censorship does not believe that preventing individuals from visiting the UK or speaking here is the right approach to tackling hateful views. We believe that the best way to tackle ideas with which you disagree, including […]

By Index on Censorship

19 Mar 18

Campaigns -- Featured | Statements | United Kingdom

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The UK government has barred a number of far-right speakers from entering the country in recent weeks.

Index on Censorship does not believe that preventing individuals from visiting the UK or speaking here is the right approach to tackling hateful views. We believe that the best way to tackle ideas with which you disagree, including bigoted ones, is to allow discussion about them to take place so they can be openly countered.

If you feel people’s arguments are hateful then the best way to expose that is in debate. Banning people simply adds to their status, often increases their profile and makes the arguments more popular. It does nothing to eradicate those views. The only grounds on which a speaker or speech should be banned is when it directly incites violence.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”2″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1521459623353-4984cb7f-fee6-7″ taxonomies=”737″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Don’t lose your voice. Stay informed.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”black”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Index on Censorship is a nonprofit that campaigns for and defends free expression worldwide. We publish work by censored writers and artists, promote debate, and monitor threats to free speech. We believe that everyone should be free to express themselves without fear of harm or persecution – no matter what their views.

Join our mailing list (or follow us on Twitter or Facebook) and we’ll send you our weekly newsletter about our activities defending free speech. We won’t share your personal information with anyone outside Index.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][gravityform id=”20″ title=”false” description=”false” ajax=”false”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator color=”black”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.