As the country prepares to mark Freedom of Speech Day on April 7, Premier Lin Chuan today said that this is a momentous occasion, and asked the ministries of the interior, national defense, education, justice and culture to actively promote events and activities to help the public gain a better understanding of freedom of speech.
Speaking after a briefing by the Ministry of the Interior about preparations for the first such commemoration in Taiwan history, the premier emphasized that freedom of expression is an important attribute of any modern, democratic country, representing the right to voice opinions freely and express thoughts openly. Change in any system or environment will inevitably have repercussions, he said, hoping that society will mature as freedom of speech takes root in Taiwan.
Freedom of expression will hopefully lead people to think more deeply, and not be used to justify verbal bullying or thwart other people's ideas, the premier said, capturing the essence of this freedom with the well-known saying, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." A mature society that has fully embraced free speech must cultivate a respect for other people's ideas, and the ability to engage in rational discussion that accepts different opinions. Even more important, that kind of rational discourse is a necessity in fostering independent thinking.
The premier then said that in an authoritarian society, the government is the sole source of information, and the people are merely passive receivers of that information, unable to think independently. That is an immature society. Even after a society becomes more open and grants people freedom of expression, not everyone starts thinking independently right away. But in a mature society, people develop the ability to think independently and make distinctions through rational dialogue. The premier said he hopes that promoting freedom of speech will gradually help citizens develop the ability to think on their own so they can see through false and inaccurate information.
False statements and stories about events that never happened, false theories, phony iconic personalities, and fabricated abstract ideologies find it much harder to survive in a mature society where freedom of speech is well-established, because when something happens, everyone has the ability to ascertain the facts, and engage in rational discussions based on those facts, the premier said.
The premier also said that promoting freedom of speech will help Taiwan become a more mature, open society, and expects that freedom of speech will be an integral part of policy implementation for all government agencies.
The MOI cited freedom of speech as a key factor in Taiwan's democratic transformation, a process marked by significant achievements to transcend the limitations of an authoritarian past. And to reflect the significance and value of freedom of expression, on December 19, 2016 the Executive Yuan designated April 7 as Freedom of Speech Day.
To mark the occasion, the relevant ministries and government agencies will organize seminars, speeches, exhibitions and topical interviews to help people understand the events and achievements of the past, while encouraging them to confront the issues and challenges that lie ahead, and contemplate the true meaning of freedom of speech. All of these efforts will help freedom of speech become a reality in everyday life, and deepen Taiwan's democracy, the MOI said.