A moment of thought...

Does Freedom of Speech really exist?

       The word freedom itself has many different meanings. Some define it as the power of self-determination attributed to the will, the quality of being independent of fate or necessity. Others defined it as the right to express any opinion without censorship or restraint. Sometimes, freedom of expression is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In Islam, each of human beings has the right of freedom of thought and expression. The citizens of the Islamic State are free to have different opinions and express themselves regarding various issues. However, it can only be used for propagation of virtue and truth, not for spreading evil or wickedness. After the Prophet, Caliphs’ Umar invited people to criticism in their speeches everywhere and the people criticized them without any hesitation. In fact, in one occasion, Umar said,

“Let him say it. If these people do not say so, 

they are of no use and if we do not listen to them we are no use”

It is clearly showed that an Islamic State cannot restrict freedom of expression unless it is contrary to the basic principles of Islam. Web journalism has been the future of the news business since the emergence of websites, facebook, twitter, blogs and other social networking. Therefore, since web journalism encompasses a whole range different kind of service, also providing a wide range of articles, people began to move forward to use it as a mean to express their opinion. As simple as a click of button on your laptop, you can goggle almost everything and browse your way through anything. I believe that this is true because freedom of speech and expression via web journalism serves many functions. As a democratic society, it is important for the people to voice out. Government should take this opportunity by taking a serious action to every respond, comments and criticism. Thus, a government, which does not know and neglected what people think and feel, is really in a dangerous position. Nowadays, the rising of the mass self-communication as the Internet is the tools for the reporters and no more typewriters. The Internet may yet cost us our job, ruin our lives and wreck our democracy. The power of this media can influence people's minds with the writings on the web. Today, anyone can become a blogger but one thing for sure...they are not a journalist even though they do can write and express their opinion. Bloggers give comments bluntly but journalists follow the ethics and principles of the journalism no matter in the print media or in the web. Without a doubt, the use of the media can be turned against human rights and freedom of speech.

AGREE OR NOT AGREE!!

Blogging = Gossipping