#430 Should There Be Limits on Free Speech?

The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this episode, Niall asks: Should there be limits on free speech?

The EU is pressuring the Irish Government to bring in stricter hate speech laws that would make it illegal to say or share certain things that are seen as inciting hatred or violence. Some say this is badly needed to protect vulnerable groups. Others believe it is a dangerous step towards censorship and losing the right to speak freely.

Some callers supported tighter rules, saying free speech should not mean giving people a free pass to spread hate, threats, or messages that fuel real-world violence. They argued that with so much online abuse and polarisation, clear limits help keep communities safe.

Others argued the opposite. They said once you start restricting speech, it becomes easy for governments to control what people can say about anything, including politics. They warned that fear of saying the wrong thing could silence ordinary people and damage honest debate.

As Niall points out, this debate is about finding a balance — how to protect people from harm without losing the freedom to speak your mind.