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Beware of labelling emotive comments as hate speech

The writer of “Hate speech can promote discrimination, social unrest” (June 23) is concerned that emotive language could be taken, in effect, as “hate speech”. I would mention that this is a rhetorical situation and up to the reader’s interpretation.

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Julian Lim Choong Pin

The writer of “Hate speech can promote discrimination, social unrest” (June 23) is concerned that emotive language could be taken, in effect, as “hate speech”. I would mention that this is a rhetorical situation and up to the reader’s interpretation.

The writer is correct in one sense that comments and emotive language can be, and have been, taken out of context. This applies to both sides of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) debate.

It is common for pro-LGBT parliaments in countries like the United Kingdom to institute laws barring hate speech. In our recent General Election, the Workers’ Party’s proposal of hate-speech legislation caused me to raise an eyebrow.

Such laws, while meant to protect the community, can be seen as infringing on freedom of speech and can be abused. Who decides what is and is not hatred? When do emotive speech, satire, criticism and religious objection cross over to hate speech?

It is important not to muzzle Singaporeans’ concerns over the promotion of the LGBT lifestyle. There are more people against than for same-sex marriage and gay lifestyles (“Liberal attitudes on gay lifestyles not prevalent here”; Aug 26, 2013).

That large foreign companies have thrown in their lot with one side in this debate should be of concern.

The Bryan Lim incident is an example of the need to be cautious when posting online. Some can argue that his comments were taken out of context and misunderstood.

While Singapore has no hate-speech law, Mr Lim must still face the consequences of his action, whether it was legal or not: The possible loss of job and/or income following pressure on his employer from members of the LGBT community.

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