As a HP writer, do you feel that you have freedom in speech?

1. 60

   suebee62posted 12 years ago

   As a HP writer, do you feel that you have freedom in speech?

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2. 66

   ptosisposted 12 years ago

   
   
   Freedom of speech limitations are present in any arena. Even if had zero censorship, having nobody visit your hub and read your idea is a limitation.
   
   Does the First Amendment mean anyone can say anything at any time? No.  Hate speech and pornography according to the harm principle are two examples no matter if agree with them or not.
   
   Although cyber law may be international, Hubpages is based inside a nation  and catering to a target market is a form of self- censoring in itself. (yes?)
   
   yes, I do feel censored.
   
   Even craiglist rant and rave has censorship.
   
   If I scream in the woods and nobody hears me - is it still hate speech punishable by law?

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3. 60

   madmachioposted 12 years ago

   I feel more freedom on this site then on others! Then again when anyone puts stuff out there for people to see, it'll always draw attention. Negative or not people will say something.

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4. 69

   Joan Kingposted 12 years ago

   I assume you are asking about the same freedom of speech given to the media. I am not sure since I have so far curtailed any natural instincts to be controversial perhaps because I feel such  views may be squashed but I don't know for sure.All writing sites set standards as to what is accetable so as long as you stay within those boundaries you do have freedom of speech.

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5. 69

   crazymom3posted 12 years ago

   At this time I don't feel there is complete freedom of speech on hubpages, because at one point, a while back, I had an experience where I made a reference about sex in one of my hubs and it was tagged as too personal.  I am relatively new at this, but at that point I simply chose not to publish the hub rather then retract the reference which had to do with a rabbit.

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   Sooner28posted 12 years ago

   I haven't been censored for content yet, so I would say yes I do.

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7. 71

   The Frog Princeposted 12 years ago

   I think the more controversial that you are the more scrutiny comes your way.  I can usually handle it until it appears totally arbitrary.  When something is pulled from publication with a long laundry list to choose from as to why it was pulled I have a problem.  It's best to be specific since the majority of us are adult writers and I assume the forum is staffed by adult moderators. 
   
   The problem lies sometimes when a moderator (I have been one before) lets their personal opinions about a subject enter into the equation.  That is not their job.  On the other hand, a writer needs to not use hate speech, excessive profanity or vulgarity to try to get their point across.  However, because one doesn't like a particular person or their policies, or writing for that matter, doesn't equate to hate.  Hate is a very strong word and is usually easily identifiable. 
   
   The Hub usually lets you say what you want to say within reason.  It is when the rules seem to be applied in an arbitrary manner that writers choose to leave.  I've seen some good ones leave.  I've invited some good ones who joined then had experiences they shouldn't have had and they left. 
   
   Strictly speaking, the First Amendment applies to the federal government restricting any freedom of speech.  Since this is a commercial endeavor the powers that be can do what they want but they need to realize that every time a writer leaves, part of their audience leaves with them. 
   
   The Frog

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8. 59

   chraeposted 12 years ago

   I believe I have freedom of speech through Hub pages, but I also understand that some forms of writing and images are inappropriate and shouldn't be posted. I try to remain sensible and courteous of the other HB writers.

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   Doc Snowposted 12 years ago

   Yes.  I have taken a couple of stands that could be controversial, and have experience no blowback beyond some disagreement.

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10. 58

    WD Curry 111posted 12 years ago

    The short anser is yes.
    
    When the old boys were writing the constitution, they made statements defining the parameters that aren't in the document. It is an interesting and esily researched study. It was intended to allow for criticism of the government. The kind of stuff we sling around today was outside of their experience and below their dignity.

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11. 61

    Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

    I do.
    
    First, I don't mind that there are some limits on some things on a site like this.  It's a privately owned website - not the government or something associated with the government (like, for example, public schools).   Depending on the newspaper, even newspapers can have standards about what they'll published.
    
    For me, personally, there's no issue/subject that I have anything to say about that I can't say (and say well) without violating HubPages and/or Google's policies that place some limitations on some things that people write (and people pay money to have their ads on).  Nobody is telling me I can't write about those few things that are prohibited - only that I can't write about them if I appear to be promoting them on this site or any site that has Google ads along with my writing.
    
    Separate from the matter of subjects, there's the matter of "crudeness" and/or profanity.  I'm not someone who expresses myself crudely even in dealing with people closest to me, so I'm not being "suppressed" in that way.  As far as the occasional urge to utter a profanity may go, profanity isn't welcomed in a whole lot of environments (such as some workplaces), so that doesn't bother me either.  There's a time and place for some things, and the person who has some version of a professional image or reputation he'd like to maintain usually understands how rampant profanity in one environment or another can seem to change the whole "culture" or "professional environment" or "positive environment".
    
    Then too, there's the matter of wanting to be socially responsible where young people may see something.  I have kids (grown now), but I still care about showing them (or other people's younger kids) that a whole lot of free expression and discussion can go on without being crude.  In fact, sometimes crudeness can over-shadow what would otherwise be a solid, legitimate, set of ideas; and not be taken as seriously.  (A high-school teacher once used to say, "Profanity if the crutch of the verbally crippled."  I tend to agree with that.)

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12. 85

    TIMETRAVELER2posted 12 years ago

    As far as those who run hub pages, I really don't feel censored.  However, as far as some of the writers on hub pages...well...I have found that several people here like to engage in inflammatory name calling, bullying and labeling when my views don't agree with theirs.  This I find reprehensible.  I also feel this is an attempt at censorship on their part because they are trying to get people to shut up so that their views won't be heard.  With many people, this technique works, but it makes them afraid to speak up.  I really feel this is wrong.
    
    The way to bring people around to your point of view is to use respect and reason.  If you are incapable of doing that, then perhaps you should steer clear of people whose views differ from your own rather than publicly attacking them.

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