I’m sure Franny Rabkin is correct when she says we already have a framework for dealing with hate speech (SA laws are set against hate speech, January 14). Equally, I’m sure she is wrong when she says the problem lies with ineffective Equality Courts.The problem lies in trying to define the line between giving offence and allowing the open debate so essential to the preservation of democracy. The whole of the western world is currently grappling with this problem. There are even attempts in some universities to sensitise students against making statements that others might find offensive.In many of the real debates we have — and in some we don’t have but should be having — it is nigh on impossible to address some subjects without giving offence to someone. Take any aspect of human reproductive practices, for instance: polygamy — most of the Christian churches will take offence; contraception — it is the turn of the Catholics; abortion — the fundamentalists rage. In this fundamental ...
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