I am giving below two explanations of the expression Freedom of Speech.
1.Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without censorship and/or limitation. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on "hate speech".
Freedom of speech - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Freedom of speech and Granth sahib
I hope there is nothing stated in Granth sahib directly that curtails the freedom of speech. But with so many positive answers of the members it can fairly be construed that such freedom is to be exercised with in limits and as to the manner in which the freedom is to be exercised is stated in many Tuks of the Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib.Granth Sahib is a religious book and we shall get the answers to the questions that are related to spirituality that leads us to God. It may not cover the aspect directly. But any intelligent seeker can make out from the Granth sahib, after careful analysis, to find out the extent to which such a liberty is permitted by Guru Sahibaan.
Let us look at the few lines that say something about the speech.
1. muhO ik bolxu bolIAY ijqu suix Dry ipAwru ] (2-4, jpu, mÚ 1)
What words can we speak to evoke His Love?
2.gwvIAY suxIAY min rKIAY Bwau ] (2-8, jpu, mÚ 1)
Sing, and listen, and let your mind be filled with love.
2. Speak that which brings Honor
bwbw bolIAY piq hoie ] (15-11, isrIrwgu, mÚ 1)
O Baba, speak only that which will bring you honor.
ijqu boilAY piq pweIAY so boilAw prvwxu ] (15-13, isrIrwgu, mÚ 1)
Those words are acceptable, which, when spoken, bring honor.
3.Insipid words
iPkw boil ivgucxw suix mUrK mn Ajwx ] (15-14, isrIrwgu, mÚ 1)
Harsh words bring only grief. Listen, O foolish and ignorant mind
4 Harsh words.
iPkw bolih nw invih dUjw Bwau suAwau ]1] (426-10, Awsw, mÚ 3)
They speak harsh words, and do not bow to Him; they are in love with another. ||1||
ggY goie gwie ijin CofI glI goibdu grib BieAw ] (432-16, Awsw, mÚ 1)
Gagga: One who renounces the singing of the songs of the Lord of the Universe, becomes arrogant in his speech.
4. Do not call anyone bad
mMdw iksY n AwKIAY piV AKru eyho buJIAY ] (473-13, Awsw, mÚ 1)
Do not call anyone bad; read these words, and understand.
5.Avoid Insipid words
nwnk iPkY boilAY qnu mnu iPkw hoie ] (473-14, Awsw, mÚ 1
O Nanak, speaking insipid words, the body and mind become insipid.
6.Minds exprerssed by speech
jo jIie hoie su augvY muh kw kihAw vwau ] (474-11, Awsw, mÚ 2)
Whatever is in the mind, comes forth; spoken words by themselves are just wind.
If there is no ban on the freedom of speech in absolute terms there is a restriction placed upon in the manner the word are to be uttered by a sikh.There may not be any direct connection as the above is meant for a devotee i.e. sikh, since we are all sikhs the ban/restrictions contained in the above lines shall seem to apply while exercising the freedom.The last line also expresses that words in themselves are of little significance as these are an expression of our thoughts. Thus the inner thoughts come out through the words. Thus we have to exercise some caution on our thoughts as well. It is by exercising some restraints that we can express through our words and it shall be liked by all. Freedom of speech is thus granted subject to the fulfillment of these conditions and other as prescribed in the Granth sahib.
