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Stephen Ward: “To be offended should be expected”
by Scott Gilbreath ~ November 3rd, 2008
The final speaker at the Joseph Howe Symposium was Dr Stephen Ward, James E. Burgess Professor Journalism Ethics, University of Wisconsin at Madison. He spoke forcefully in favour of freedom of the press and against censorship by human rights commissions. In particular, he does not find the BC Human Rights Tribunal’s decision to reject the complaint against Maclean’s magazine particularly praiseworthy because the tribunal should not have the power to receive such complaints in the first place.
His column in today’s Regina Leader-Post summarises what he had to say.
As the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) stated last week, more complaints will undoubtedly arise in the future. Free speech is not protected until these tribunals stop considering such complaints because legislators have the good sense and courage to repeal the offending provisions; or the Supreme Court of Canada rules on the constitutionality of this attempt to regulate journalism.
[…]
I favour a journalism that encourages reasoned and reasonable discussion. But my love of fair reporting and of building cultural bridges does not insist on silencing those who may not want to build a bridge, or to speak in measured tones. Of course, we should educate citizens to tolerate and respect each other. But, we should also teach that in a plural society, to be offended should be expected.
He encourages journalists not to censor themselves just because someone might be offended. Journalists, he says, have a legal right—and, sometimes, a legal duty—to offend.
h/t: Blazing Cat Fur
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