Harper’s Magazine recently published “A Letter on Justice and Open Debate,” which was signed by more than 150 prominent writers, artists, academics and journalists from a variety of countries, and representing a range of political views. The Canadian signatories included Margaret Atwood, David Frum, Malcolm Gladwell, Jeet Heer, and Michael Ignatieff.
The letter affirms the importance of free speech in a democratic society and repeats the familiar claim that the response to “bad ideas” should be “argument, and persuasion” rather than censorship or silencing.
In response to the letter, Professor Moon wrote an opinion piece in the Toronto Star claiming: "In the internet era, audiences have become more fragmented and political views, more polarized and entrenched. There is little common ground in the community on factual matters or the reliability or trustworthiness of different sources of information, which has made it difficult to discuss issues and to agree or compromise on public policy."
"Disinformation and conspiracy theories spread easily among partisans and generate fear and distrust of others. Indeed, distortion and deceit rather than direct censorship may now be the most significant threat to public discourse. There is a crisis in our public discourse, and it will not be remedied by general affirmations of the importance free speech," says Professor Moon.