"If someone wants to say something horrific, let them. But it's in the public domain, and it allows those who are offended to state why that person is wrong."
In an ideal world, yes.
Unfortunately, many people are not critical free-thinkers.
Witness the power that Fox News, Trump, Alex Jones etc. have in the US, and our very own tabloids and brexit campaign.
If everyone picked up on their bullshit and called them out for it, then fine, but that's not the case, and they can have immense power and followers simply by feeding the people lies.
The old saying "you can't shout 'fire' in a theatre when there isn't one" is related -- in that case, people will not have time to critically analyse the evidence, and will believe the warning, and panic.
In these other cases, it's not urgency or panic, it's stupidity and mental lazyness that makes the lies believed.
It's a difficult one - I'm all for the principal of free speech, even if I disagree with it, and even if it's hateful, but when lies are used to manipulate people, checks and balances are needed.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
