- New polling reveals a quarter of Irish people feel they can’t speak freely in social settings, like in a pub
- Global free speech champions to take the stage in Dublin at “Ireland Free Speech Summit”, voicing concerns about proposed “hate speech” bill
DUBLIN (18th June 2024) – New national polling commissioned by ADF International reveals a deep-seated concern amongst the Irish for the erosion of free speech, with a quarter revealing they already feel restricted in expressing their views and opinions in social settings like a pub, or in their place of work or study.
In the survey, conducted by Whitestone Insight*, 90% confirmed that free speech was “very important” to them – while the Irish parliament debates new and wide-ranging “hate speech” legislation, with egregious implications for the basic human right to free speech.
“The proposed “hate speech” legislation would be one of the worst examples of censorship in the modern West. The bill proports to stamp out ‘hate speech,’ but fails to define what ‘hate’” is – allowing authorities to censor any speech the state opposes.
That’s why voices from around the world are arriving in Dublin this week to speak up for the right to debate and discuss ideas – here, and everywhere,” said Lorcan Price, Irish Barrister and Legal Counsel for ADF International, and speaker about the implications of the bill at the Ireland Free Speech Summit.
The most censorial proposal in the West
The proposed Hate Speech Bill would make it an offence to possess (for distribution) material that could lead to hatred in Ireland, with punishment of up to 5 years in prison. It would further make refusal to give a password to an electronic device a crime, which would allow authorities to search and possibly find materials that are “hateful”.
At the 2024 Free Speech Summit scheduled to take place in Dublin on 18th June, international free speech champions will gather with politicians to highlight the issues at stake under the bill.
“The world is watching Ireland. The censorial “hate speech bill”, if passed, would not only shut down conversation nationally – as the home of various international social media headquarters, it would have a worldwide impact on what we can all discuss online, throughout the world.
“A sweeping ban on undefined “hate” gives authorities the power to determine which viewpoints are acceptable to voice. History warns us that such power can be easily abused. The Summit is drawing together voices from across the globe to stand up for the rights of people everywhere to continue to have free, fair and open conversation,” said Michael Shellenberger, international bestselling author and journalist, who is billed to speak at the Summit.
“The world is watching Ireland. The censorial 'hate speech bill', if passed, would not only shut down conversation nationally...it would have a worldwide impact on what we can all discuss online."
Organised by Free Speech Ireland with support from ADF International, the event will bring together Irish and international free speech activists to discuss the importance of free expression in Ireland – and further afield.
Independent Senators Rónán Mullen and Sharon Keogan are expected to take the stage, as well as leading academics including Cambridge Associate Professor Dr. James Orr.
Also on the bill are cleric and broadcaster Fr Calvin Robinson; feminist campaigner Laoise de Brún; psychotherapist and Director of GenSpect, Stella O’Malley; international bestselling authors Michael Shellenberger and Andy Ngo; and “Father Ted” Screenwriter Graham Linehan.
“The Summit is the very epitome of why we need free speech. We’re all coming together with different viewpoints, beliefs, and perspectives – but we agree on one thing. We should be allowed to freely discuss and debate ideas in Ireland. Our free speech must not be curtailed by a censorial government. It’s essential that the parliament consider the draconian impact that the hate speech bill could have on Irish society – and keep the public square open for all,” said Graham Linehan, screenwriter of “Father Ted”, who is billed to speak at the Summit.
For more information on the Ireland Free Speech Summit, click here.
*Methodology note: Whitestone Insight surveyed 1,027 Republic of Ireland adults online from 15th-20th March 2024. Whitestone Insight is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full tables are available at whitestoneinsight.com.
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Pictured: Dublin Free Speech Summit flyer; Lorcan Price, ADF International
