Epoch Times - Nobody Agrees on the Definition of Hate Speech Andrew Doyle Says

Dec. 29, 2025 - Epoch Times

01:21

Nobody Agrees on the Definition of Hate Speech Andrew Doyle Says

🔴 WATCH THE FULL EPISODE: https://ept.ms/3Ni9vf8Show more The concept of hate speech is being used to erode free speech across Europe, says comedian and writer Andrew Doyle, the author of “Free Speech and Why It Matters.” “If you look at all the various definitions of hate speech across European statute books, none of them agree. No one knows what it is really,” he says. “No one can define hate speech. No one knows what it means. … You can't wish away a human emotion with the stroke of a pen. You may as well try and legislate against envy. It doesn't make sense,” he says. Show less
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Time	Text
	These are arguments that have been reiterated by much smarter people than me throughout history.
	But I wanted to reiterate them in a short, succinct, accessible way because I think we have an obligation to do so.
	I think every successive generation has to make the case for free speech because it's not something that's won and then it is in our grasp evermore.
	it's always at risk.
	Every day, you know, you read an article about people trying to eliminate free speech or draw their own exceptions or carve out exceptions.
	That's why the First Amendment, even though it's a great protection, it's not invulnerable to attack or modification or misinterpretation.
	You know, all of that can still happen.
	That's what a lot of campaigners and activists want.
	But you look at the danger of that.
	I mean, they want hate speech to be, you know, exceptions to be carved out for hate speech.
	No one can define hate speech.
	No one knows what it means.
	And human beings hate.
	That's an emotion that has developed in us over many, many years.
	You can't wish away a human emotion with the stroke of a pen.
	You may as well try and legislate against envy.
	It doesn't make sense.
	So, you know, when you try, I mean, if you look at all the various definitions of hate speech across European statute books, none of them agree.

Time

Text

These are arguments that have been reiterated by much smarter people than me throughout history.

But I wanted to reiterate them in a short, succinct, accessible way because I think we have an obligation to do so.

I think every successive generation has to make the case for free speech because it's not something that's won and then it is in our grasp evermore.

it's always at risk.

Every day, you know, you read an article about people trying to eliminate free speech or draw their own exceptions or carve out exceptions.

That's why the First Amendment, even though it's a great protection, it's not invulnerable to attack or modification or misinterpretation.

You know, all of that can still happen.

That's what a lot of campaigners and activists want.

But you look at the danger of that.

I mean, they want hate speech to be, you know, exceptions to be carved out for hate speech.

No one can define hate speech.

No one knows what it means.

And human beings hate.

That's an emotion that has developed in us over many, many years.

You can't wish away a human emotion with the stroke of a pen.

You may as well try and legislate against envy.

It doesn't make sense.

So, you know, when you try, I mean, if you look at all the various definitions of hate speech across European statute books, none of them agree.