MAY 4 — Following the resignation of ntv7 producer Joshua Wong last month amidst allegations of political interference and media censorship, supporters of Wong were quick to jump to his defence in the name of free speech.

The Bar Council’s MyConstitution website even quoted Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, which states that “every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression”.

This firm stand on the principle of free speech is laudable, and it presents us with a good opportunity to examine the nature and the roots of free speech more closely.