Sedition Act: An Effective Tool Against Terrorism?

The idea that the impediment of speech will somehow safeguard the lives of people may seem far-fetched, but it has not stopped even the most democratic countries from attempting to resurrect an Elizabethan law.

In late 2006, the Howard Government proposed plans to amend Australia's Crimes Act 1914, introducing laws that mean artists and writers may be goaled for up to seven years if their work was considered "seditious", or inspired sedition, either deliberately or accidentally. This is in conjunction with the introduction of anti-terrorism legislation passed on 6th Dec 2005.

In Line With The Patriotic Act

Like the Patriot Act, passed down by the Bush Administration to give widespread powers, such as those empowering law enforcement agencies to wiretap phones without going to the courts, the Howard Government seems to be doing the same thing: Sacrifice the rights of the people to preserve national security.

The pragmatic truth is, if indeed the threat of a 7 year jail for seditious remarks could help deter terrorism, there would perhaps be some kind of moral justification to vindicate the loss of certain freedoms.

The truth, though, may be far from convincing.

Driving Terrorists Underground

The unbridled truth is simple: Terrorists are neither simpletons nor fools. The mere fact that they are not allowed to disclose their feelings in public certainly will not stop them from committing terrorist acts, particularly those who are already hell-bent on losing their lives for the sake of a religious cause.

Real-life terrorists act discreetly: Most likely than not, the loud-mouth buffoon who loudly clamors to bomb or kill something or someone is likely not going to be a serious terrorist: To jail persons of this nature without really able to find any sort of vindictive proof against him or her is a complete waste of resources. If a 7 yr jail term is rigorously enforced, chances are, jail cells will be filled with more non-violent prisoners than real terrorists and criminals.

The real terrorists, however, will remain scot-free, as law enforcement officers spend their time chasing after mere speech offenders.

Freedom of Speech: A Universal Right

The free to expression is a universal right, as guaranteed by the United Nations. Failure to recognize this human right will not only stifle creativity, it breeds arrogance and contempt in governments that ultimately leads to tyranny and despotism.