FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND BLASPHEMY

When French satirical weekly CharlieHebdo is publishing caricatures of Prophet Mohammed naked it is NOT defending the freedom of the press. It is an act of blasphemy. Blasphemy is the act of showing contempt or speaking offensively about a deity or of persons and symbols regarded as sacred by the followers of a specific religion.

Blasphemy cannot be shielded by the rationale which is used to defend the freedom of the press. The sole purpose of blasphemy is to offend. We protect freedom of the press in our society not as a good in and of itself, but because through debate of even the most improbable propositions, the best ideas will out and society will be enriched by the discourse. Freedom of the press should have redeeming value. It should contribute to the free marketplace of ideas. But language and/or pictures in this case aimed solely at offense has no redeeming value and does not contribute to the free marketplace of ideas. It does not further any discussion. It does not admit any discourse. It does not appeal to reason. In other words, none of the justification of freedom of the press or freedom of speech apply in case of blasphemy.