Reader opinion The Commission on Freedom of Expression could ease the crisis of national debate

The Commission’s mandate and membership should be carefully considered so as to minimize the risk of politicization.

Many are concerned about the negative tone of social debate, hate speech, and painting. Conflicting interpretations of the limits of free speech are often at stake in these debates. The social debate on the limits of freedom of expression is important, but it should be constructive.

The crisis in the national culture of dialogue calls for action. One of them could be the Finnish Commission on Freedom of Expression, which could help clarify the limits of freedom of speech in modern society.

Norwegian in 2020, the government set up a commission on freedom of expression to consider the social, technological, legal, and economic framework for freedom of expression in today’s society. The Commission’s final report is due to be completed this year.

The Norwegian Freedom of Expression Commission has 16 members, including journalists, representatives of human rights organizations and other experts. The Commission’s remit includes issues such as freedom of the press, freedom of expression on the Internet and freedom of expression in the arts, as well as the challenging issues of extremism, protection of vulnerable groups and disinformation.

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Denmark also set up a Commission on Freedom of Expression, which published its final report in April 2020. According to the Commission, freedom of expression has a strong basis and framework in Denmark, but the Commission also expressed concern about legislation restricting freedom of expression.

Finn the Commission on Freedom of Expression could help clarify the limits of freedom of expression in modern society. Its mandate and membership should be carefully considered so as to minimize the risk of politicization. The risk that the Finnish Commission on Freedom of Expression would only become a new place for negative and polarized discussions should be avoided.

But a well-designed and well-functioning Commission on Freedom of Expression could help to nullify the current – mostly negative – public debate on freedom of expression and relaunch the social debate on freedom of expression from a better starting point.

In the public in debates, the opinions and extremes of politicians seeking attention for freedom of expression tend to receive the most attention. However, freedom of expression and the associated right to receive information are enshrined in the Constitution, a right that belongs to everyone. It is a fundamental democratic right and considered by many to be one of the most important human rights, because without freedom of expression other rights cannot be defended.

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The Commission on Freedom of Expression could help highlight the fact that freedom of expression and the associated right to receive information belong to everyone, including, for example, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The views of these groups on freedom of expression will hardly ever come up in public debates, although many of them face significant challenges in pursuing their right to freedom of expression.

Joy Hyvärinen

Member of the Working Group on Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age

The reader’s opinions are the speeches written by HS’s readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave a comment or read the principles of writing at www.hs.fi/kirjtamielipidekirjoitus/.

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