Freedom of expression is not absolute, but is it under threat?
The question comes amid statements by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander pertaining to this country's involvement in the conflict between the United States and Venezuela, and calls from the Minister for the US to take action.
The issue was ventilated during the Movement for Social Justice Tuesday talk.
00:00Defamation and sedition laws are two legislative frameworks outlining limitations to certain aspects of freedom of expression.
00:08But is it being used by the government to silence those in criticism of decisions being made?
00:14Over a week ago, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander called on the United States to take action against media personnel based in the U.S.,
00:23who he said are making dangerous statements, threatening collaboration between the U.S. and TNT, as well as seeking to destabilize the country.
00:31Movement for Social Justice public law spokesperson Atini Renako Gregg says governments in past, including the Eric Williams administration,
00:39have tried to curb people from rising up against them.
00:43He adds that many who did rise up were considered radicals and were punished for it.
00:48It doesn't mean that it cannot happen today.
00:53And I think we have to flag when we hear the government coming out and saying things like,
01:00we have to do something about those who are seeking to destabilize our country because it has real meaning.
01:07Gregg says subsequent to Alexander's statements, the TTPS has been cautioning the public on social media about sedition and what it constitutes.
01:16And the highlighted elements of the sedition act that point to the fact that, well, if you're saying something that, you know, is like I had mentioned earlier with the definition of the sedition act,
01:30that seeks to cause a rift, right, to make, to create animosity between the classes, you could be charged for that.
01:43The attorney says the threat is serious enough to make some people refrain from expressing their opinions.
01:49And he refers to it as, quote unquote, a way to keep people in place.
01:53And yes, we do not, wouldn't condone or say that it's okay.
02:00You could say anything, even if it means threatening a politician or whomever.
02:05We have to be wary of that slippery slope between you saying that, you know, this is a threat towards this person,
02:17and you just prevented somebody from expressing legitimate criticism of the government.
02:26Meanwhile, MSJ leader David Abdullah cites what he believes is the unequal and convenient application of the sedition law.
02:34There are bloggers who, and people on social media, who constantly put up very dangerous, really, hateful racial slurs, right?
02:51Whether it is attacking African or Indian, it goes both ways,
02:56which are really meant to stir up racial, in some cases religious, hatred against a particular group.
03:05But you have never seen, I've never seen any police investigation or charges against those people.
03:16The MSJ is calling for it to be addressed from all fronts, including the TTPS and the heads of political parties.
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