Limitations On Freedom of Speech
There were some improvements since the withdrawal of 25,000 Syrian troops from Lebanon in April 2005 in what was dubbed the Cedar Revolution by the West. However, journalists and politicians known to be critical of Syria continue to be a target through car-bomb assassinations. Waltz With Bashir, an Israeli film that criticizes aspects of the way the Israeli army handled the 1982 Lebanon War has been banned, although the film is popular among Palestinians living in Lebanon who purchased bootleg copies. Other movies are banned as well, for example "Schindler's List" is banned for promoting Jewish sympathy. Other books and movies are banned for supposedly insulting religion, for example "The Da Vinci Code" and "The Satanic Verses".
Lady Gaga's album Born This Way was rumored to be banned in Lebanon for being "offensive to Christianity", according to a 6 June 2011 report in the Jerusalem Post. The report also said that the albums were impounded by Lebanese authorities. However, Kamal Safa, the head of the publications department of Lebanon’s General Security, issued a media statement Wednesday confirming that “Born This Way,” had not been banned. The albums were released for sale the next week.
Read more about this topic: Human Rights In Lebanon
Famous quotes containing the words freedom of speech, limitations on, limitations, freedom and/or speech:
“We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want ... everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear ... anywhere in the world.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)
“... art transcends its limitations only by staying within them.”
—Flannery O’Connor (1925–1964)
“The limitations of pleasure cannot be overcome by more pleasure.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“... the sentimentalist ... exclaims: “Would you have a woman step down from her pedestal in order to enter practical life?” Yes! A thousand times, yes! If we can really find, after a careful search, any women mounted upon pedestals, we should willingly ask them to step down in order that they may meet and help to uplift their sisters. Freedom and justice for all are infinitely more to be desired than pedestals for a few.”
—Bertha Honore Potter Palmer (1849–1918)
“Ignorant free speech often works against the speaker. That is one of several reasons why it must be given rein instead of suppressed.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)