Freedom of speech and responsibility in the digital age

Jan 07, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

Social media should be used responsibly. They are important channels of communication and platforms for learning, organising, and participating in public life. At the same time, their power to shape reputations, influence public opinion, and have real-world consequences means they should not be abused or used irresponsibly. This does not mean that social media must be free of criticism or dissent, or that people must be censored arbitrarily. But it does mean that users should exercise some care and moderation in how they use these platforms.

I am a firm believer in freedom of expression. I think people should be able to say what they believe, discuss issues of public interest, criticise leaders, and engage in debate. In a healthy democracy, speech should not be restricted to those with views that are popular, safe, or comfortable. Freedom of expression, in all its forms of commentary, activism, art, or personal storytelling, is part of human dignity and social progress. Social media, despite all their flaws, have created opportunities for ordinary citizens to have a voice in discussions that were once the purview of a few institutions or elites.

But the right to express one’s self does not come with a right to say whatever one pleases without any regard for the rights or feelings of others. Expression should not impinge on the rights of others to safety, dignity, and fair treatment. Speech that is deliberately intended to cause harm to others—harassment, intimidation, defamation, incitement, spreading of falsehoods or disinformation, or other obvious cases of abuse—can cause real and significant personal and social injury. Online abuse can ruin lives, fuel discrimination, and create an environment of fear that silences many others from participating in public life. In this sense, irresponsible or unethical behaviour on social media platforms can become a form of injustice, where the loudest or most privileged voices drown out the rest, and where public discourse becomes less truthful, less accurate, and less humane.

For these reasons, as users of these platforms, we should endeavor to be more ethical and more thoughtful about how we express ourselves. We should pause before sharing content that is false, unnecessary, or which unnecessarily attacks the humanity of others. We should disagree without cruelty. We can be firm and direct in our criticism, without being unfair or disrespectful. A society that values free expression should value truthfulness and restraint as well, and recognise that careless or abusive speech undermines both. The expectation should be higher for all of us, given the wide reach and near-permanence of our posts.

In this regard, the rules should apply to everyone. The expectations of accountability and respect should not be selective. If we care about freedom of expression, we must defend it for all people, not only the people we agree with or like. If we are concerned about abuse and injury online, the rules and the consequences must also be the same for all people, not only those who are less popular, less well-connected, or less well-resourced. Unequal enforcement is corrosive to public trust, and creates the impression that some people are above accountability, while others are punished for less. Without consistency and credibility, there can be no effective standards or social norms in how these platforms are used.

In short, social media should remain free, open, and accessible. The solution is not to silence people, but to create an environment where speech is more honest, more respectful, and more mindful of the rights of others. Where freedom and responsibility are in balance, social media can be an instrument of social good: a force for learning, accountability, and community.

Respectfully,
Philip Inshanally

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