META’S decision to take down a photo on Instagram depicting a meeting between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Ismail Haniyeh in Doha underscores the importance of protecting freedom of speech and expression. The Hamas leader was assassinated in Tehran on July 31. Israel is the prime suspect behind the assassination. For many years, Hamas has received the full support of Muslim countries and several Western nations in its struggle to free Palestine from Israeli occupation and brutality. However, Israel, the US, and some other Western countries have declared Hamas a terrorist group. As a result of this, many social media platforms controlled by the West have decided to censor statements or acts deemed sympathetic to Hamas. In simple terms, people’s freedom of speech and expression has been restricted and denied. 

Social media censorship is a human rights violation. People should be encouraged to speak up. Their right to speak should be valued and protected.

What is freedom of speech and expression? Freedom of speech and expression is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to express their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal action. Freedom of speech and expression is a basic human right, as clearly stipulated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 (UDHR) and recognised in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966. Article 19 of the UDHR 1948 clearly states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” 

Freedom of speech and expression is also protected by our Federal Constitution, the highest law of the land. Article 10(1)(a) clearly states, “Every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression.” 

Freedom of speech and expression allows people to protect their own rights and interests as well as the rights and interests of others. Freedom of speech and expression can also be used as a shield to protect people from ill-treatment and oppression. 
Without such freedom and basic rights, people will be unable to protect themselves. Suppression of freedom of speech and expression could also prevent the development of good ideas, which are vital for the advancement of society and country.

However, we must accept that freedoms and human rights, including freedom of speech and expression, cannot be absolute. Although there are limitations to freedoms and basic rights, it does not mean that we should shut the door on people’s ability to express their views and opinions. Leaders in power must not use such limitations as a pretext to create or enforce laws to discourage people from speaking up. 

Differences in views and opinions should be resolved through discussions and debates, not through legal actions, arrests, prosecutions, fines, or imprisonment. – August 2, 2024.

* Muzaffar Syah Mallow is associate professor at University Sains Islam Malaysia Faculty of Shariah and Law.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.