According to the video:
American model of free speech, which largely rejects hate speech laws, is essential because governments and institutions should not have the power to decide which ideas are acceptable. They argue that restricting speech does more than silence offensive opinions, it shapes what people are able to think, discourages open debate, and makes society less resilient by suppressing controversial or unpopular viewpoints. While acknowledging that hate speech laws are intended to protect vulnerable groups, the speaker contends that in practice such laws mainly protect the authority and narratives of those in power. They conclude that true intellectual freedom requires allowing even offensive or unpopular ideas to be expressed so they can be challenged rather than censored.

  • freagle@lemmy.ml
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    2 days ago

    The American model of free speech is anything but. It’s a narrative cover over reality.

    The US government has always and will always choose what speech is unacceptable and repress it. They have been doing so for centuries. They have killed so many people for speaking. They have entire departments dedicated to media manipulation and censorship. They have vast financial incentives organized by the government to limit speech. There have been at least 2 open purges of communists and a third purge is burgeoning as we speak.

    The American model is not actually that the government should not have the power to limit speech but rather that the government will limit violent speech if it goes against the government’s goals and will protect violent speech if it supports the government’s goals. That’s why white supremacist hate speech is protected in the US - not because America is a shining beacon of free speech but because America is shining beacon of white supremacy.