What is free speech and where does one draw the line ?

I do not think we can ever have that line because this is a very intrinsic and personal issue. What may be gross for you, may be not for someone else. It will be very difficult to strike a balance.

So in effect my idea and someone else's idea if freedom of speech could be totally different and contradictory 

usha manohar wrote:

So in effect my idea and someone else's idea if freedom of speech could be totally different and contradictory 

it may sound ironical but i guess that is the truth.

I don't think so. Though I don't know exactly, there is a definition for " Freedom Of  Speech" in the Indian Constitution.

if there is freedom of Speech then there is also Freedom of toleration of another's view point. Threatening, hounding, condemning, beating are not conducive to Freedom of Speech. Then it should be announced what is to be spoken and only that will be heard. Anyone deviating knows the consequences. Sham freedom of speech is not what Constitution guarantees.

Of course being anti social and intolerant about others speech is counter productive. However since we cannot control the masses and mob fury it is probably wiser not to make inflammatory statements , more so when the atmosphere is charged ..

Freedom of Speech is the right of people to express their opinions publicly, without Government's interference. The word Freedom is not just freedom. There are Responsibilities too. Hence, Freedom of Speech exercising your freedom without encroaching and bulldozing in to the other person's Freedom of Speech..

It is this very responsibility or rather irresponsibility and a lack of sensitivity while making statements by the public figures that brings in clashes. Since it is difficult to draw the line, it may be prudent to take a balanced view rather than take sides where certain issues are concerned.

Freedom of Speech, if used with  prudence and caution, builds bridges. Or else it creates all kinds of misunderstandings and lead to undesired consequences.

Freedom of speech is slowly going to mean speak only in a particular way, otherwise one can be gagged and punished. Who is responsible for this atmosphere.

Public figures, politicians and even the people must exercise utmost caution while expressing their views or opinions in Public.The dividing line between adherence to 'Freedom Of Speech " and  its violation is very thin. We have been seeing incidents where Freedom of Speech is violated advertently or inadvertently  by the  leaders and how they are putting themselves in troubles. Such ugly incidents could have been avoided with a bit of caution.

Every freedom comes with a limitation and a duty. While people get carried away by their freedom, they forget about the complimentary duty and limitation. I feel that happens with the freedom of speech also. And when you use the freedom demeaning the limitation or thee duty, the freedom looses it's dignity add you actually abuse it. 

People who are talking about rights must be remember that they also have some duties.

Some quotes on freedom of speech

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter - George Washington 

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use - Soren Kierkegaard 

The best way is to give ideas and criticize ideas.  There should be no attack on individuals. Gandhi had said- hate the sin and not the sinner. This attitude will be a determinant to personal attack.  Freedom of speech becomes dreadful when used to attack individuals. 

Hate speech should not not be tolerated in the name of Free Speech. It has real and devastating effects on Peoples lives their Health and safety. It is harmful and divisive for Communities and hampers social progress in fighting discrimination. Left unchecked hate speech can lead to war and genocide. Although the right to speech is a fundamental value, it should not be allowed to over weigh the Basic Human rights  of other people, especially their right to life.