Also, a specific example which provides excellent evidence contrary to the assertion that that democracy and free speech are separable, is that Australia has no constitutional enumerated right to freedom of speech.
Yet it has been ruled, in increasing clarity by successive Supreme Courts, that citizens having the right to vote democratically enshrined in the Australian constitution and being that "public affairs and political discussion are indivisible"; for this right to vote to be exercised effectively implies a guarantee of freedom of communication on all political AND economic matters, at all levels of federal, state and local law.
In other words, they ruled that citizens cannot effectively exercise their right to vote in a democratic election, without having a guarantee of free speech that must be upheld by every court in the land.
Thus it is the considered opinion of Australia's highest court that democracy implies and requires citizens have a right to free speech.
Despite having no constitutional right to free speech, living in a democratic nation means you can lawfully defame someone in Australia if the statement you make is political in nature (including in a very broad sense anything which relates to public affairs, such as economic commentary). Virtually the only kind of speech not protected is commercial speech devoid of political content.
no subject
Yet it has been ruled, in increasing clarity by successive Supreme Courts, that citizens having the right to vote democratically enshrined in the Australian constitution and being that "public affairs and political discussion are indivisible"; for this right to vote to be exercised effectively implies a guarantee of freedom of communication on all political AND economic matters, at all levels of federal, state and local law.
In other words, they ruled that citizens cannot effectively exercise their right to vote in a democratic election, without having a guarantee of free speech that must be upheld by every court in the land.
Thus it is the considered opinion of Australia's highest court that democracy implies and requires citizens have a right to free speech.
Despite having no constitutional right to free speech, living in a democratic nation means you can lawfully defame someone in Australia if the statement you make is political in nature (including in a very broad sense anything which relates to public affairs, such as economic commentary). Virtually the only kind of speech not protected is commercial speech devoid of political content.