FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND HATE SPEECH REGARDING THE ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN POLITICAL DEBATE
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND HATE SPEECH REGARDING THE ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN POLITICAL DEBATE

Summary/Abstract: Freedom of expression has accompanied humanity for centuries. As societies have developedover the decades, it has evolved and changed. In parallel, the brutalisation of language hasalso progressed, leading to the emergence of hate speech. Today, hate speech is a globalphenomenon, significantly impacting the speech of public figures. This is due to the fact thatsuch statements reach a wide audience, which includes both supporters and opponents of sucha person. Consequently, this leads to a wide-ranging debate where individual arguments loserelevance, overshadowed by the repetition of negative slogans and comments with hatefulovertones. This article aims to delineate the boundary between freedom of expression andhate speech, highlighting the consequences associated with the use of hate speech by publicfigures. It seeks to prove the main thesis that hate speech in the activity of public figures is anunquestionably negative phenomenon and thus cannot benefit from the protection guaranteedunder freedom of speech. Additionally, it posits that hate speech undermines the dignityof individuals and society, leads to a decline in the culture of speech, and diminishes bothpolitical and social culture. Consequently, it erodes the authority of public figures and harmsthe offices they hold by undermining trust in them.

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