20 November 2017
We all have those friends on Facebook who claim they have an absolute right to their opinion. “Well, that’s my opinion and I am entitled to it. It’s a free country.” Fair enough, the “free country” line has become outdated. But certainly not outdated as the apartheid flag which has recently been pulled out the drawers, miraculously dustless, neatly unfolded and displayed with an odd mix of reverence and nostalgia.
Yes, the Constitution protects freedom of speech. So you are entitled to your opinion. But this right has its bounds. The Constitution expressly prohibits “advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm”. So your entitlement is not absolute or without accountability or consequence.