Why would you want to suppress any kind of speech with legislation? You can't legislate away societal problems, especially those involving speech or individual expression. It restricts thought and public discourse. Artists and writers can no longer freely express themselves, books are banned and so on. How can problems be solved if people aren't even allowed to mention what they are? Not to mention, these sort of laws can eventually be turned around, redefined and used against you, depending upon who is in power at the time. People never learn this lesson. Law is a double-edged sword. If you suppress someone's thoughts and speech, they will just go underground and plot against you, where you can't see them. Suppression of free speech is a form of oppression.

Legislation of "Hate Speech" is flawed. It is too subjective and therefore subject for abuse. Certainly hate filled speech is wrong, but to legislate it is contrary to long term public objectives. The principle of freedom of speech is not to protect speech we agree with, it is to protect speech many would disagree with. What is hate speech for one group many not be considered hate speech for another.

We should provide a carrot to those who use positive, respectful conversation or speech. We should not use hate speech laws as the stick to control speech. That is exactly what it is, control of speech.

While I recognize that there are haters out there, I do not believe in so-called "HATE SPEECH" when did get so bad that we lost our ability to ignore the stupidity of those among us. I know I don't verbalize the dumb ass things that sometime cross my mind unless alone screaming at the Libs on TV. I guess that comes from having class and a 2 parent family.

The pernicious aspect of hate speech laws in the UK is the fact that whether an offence has occurred or not is "as perceived by the victim" or as perceived by a third party! So, if I think that what you say is motivated by racism, homophobia, misogyny etc. then it's a hate crime! This is just crazy! As if you can look into somebody's head!

We frequently hear that hate speech/crimes in the UK have vastly increased, especially after Brexit. However, this is just statistical manipulation. I have a policeman friend who explained it to me:

If you think hate speech has occurred (as perceived by you), you are encouraged to visit a police website to report it. You do not have to give any personal details such your name. Once the information is on the website, the police are required by law to record it even if no law has been broken. Therefore, it looks like the incidents of hate crime have gone up!

People often shout "that's hate speech" when actually it's just an insult. When people get angry they will try to insult the other person - usually based on their appearance. This is where the double standard comes in. It's fine to say "you ugly ba****!" but not "you black ba****!" It's not racist - it's an insult!

Personally, I would get rid of hate speech laws.

I think there can be hateful speech, but as a free speech absolutist I do not advocate its suppression. On the other hand, condemning speech is appropriate at times, and is really nothing more than one person utilizing their free speech as a retort to another person's free speech. I think condemning or distancing oneself from those who hold what may be considered abhorrent views is the way society should function. The free market of ideas will police itself if left alone and it is why freedom of assembly is in the same amendment.

I don't believe it's hate speech. Don't like what someone has to say, don't listen. Free speech is free speech

Some ( not me ) consider anything hat they dislike hearing as hate speech

I don't consider anything to be hate speech personally.

Just varying degrees of intelligent arguments to prove one point or another.

The better speeches give weight to multiple arguments and lets the audience decide what to believe.

The problem is when people start taking action based on stupid ideas.

Silencing the speaker doesn't eliminate the idea. Especially not now in the age of social media and the IoT quickly approaching 5G. It just inspires lonelier people to lonelier things like shoot up a church.

Kill the idea or kill the internet. We opt not to kill the internet but regulate it and now tax it on various devices. We opt not to kill the idea because pointing fingers, pushing agendas and blaming one or another group we don't like is easier than calling out evil and shedding more light on just how stupid it is, and highlight why no one should be following it. Without pointing fingers, just with education and facts.

The core of the problem with hate speech legislation is based in the question of who defines hate?

Hate speech incites violence , sedition, discrimination, any form of damage against a specific , named target . I think that covers any situation I can think of .

It wouldn't be hate speech, simply speech I wouldn't agree with is all.