Episode 1: On Censorship, Hate Speech & Tolerance

The word ‘censorship’ gets thrown around a lot these days, both locally and internationally. It’s been an especially thorny topic of late, given the divisive political climate we’re living in right now. But what exactly does it mean to censor someone? And who reserves the right to do it? Thamara and Himal, two random dudes on the internet, offer their half baked opinions on this important subject.

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Show Notes

  1. Definition of ‘Censorship’: The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. (Source: Google)
  2. Aksharaya, directed by Asoka Handagama: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1019881/
  3. Flying Fish, directed by Sanjeewa Pushpakumara: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1830645/
  4. Purahanda Kaluwara, directed by Prasanna Vithanage: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0188164/
  5. Sri Lanka in the World Press Freedom Index: https://rsf.org/en/sri-lanka
  6. Budunge Rasthiyaduwa, written by K. K. Srinath: https://www.kbooks.lk/budunge_rasthiyaduwa_k_k_srinath
  7. Nihon Sepa Labewa and Tharuwan Saranai were radio dramas broadcast on ITN FM.
  8. Thumindu Dodantenna’s response to the public outcry against his stance on freedom of expression: https://www.facebook.com/thumindud/posts/10156471627334484
  9. Koombi Gula Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/koombigula.official
  10. Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka: http://www.parliament.lk/files/pdf/constitution.pdf
  11. Mama Kelin Minihek, a play by Asanka Sayakkara: http://rangahala.lk/mama-kelin-minihek/
  12. The One Who Loves You So, a play by Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke: https://www.yamu.lk/blog/the-one-who-loves-you-so
  13. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_377_of_the_Indian_Penal_Code
  14. Jack Dorsey’s initial statement on Alex Jones and Infowars not being banned on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jack/status/1026984242893357056?lang=en
  15. Definition of ‘Hate Speech’: Speech that is intended to insult, offend, or intimidate a person because of some trait (as race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability) (Source: Merriam-Webster)
  16. The Bell Curve, written by Charles Murray and Richard J. Herrnstein: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223556.The_Bell_Curve
  17. The Paradox of Tolerance, cartoonized: https://www.reddit.com/r/PoliticalPhilosophy/comments/8pynpv/the_paradox_of_tolerance_by_karl_popper/
  18. The Open Society and its Enemies, written by Karl R. Popper: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240592.The_Open_Society_and_Its_Enemies

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