On the High Court, Twitter, Folau & “Freedom of Speech”.

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On the High Court, Twitter, Folau & “Freedom of Speech”.

The speaker begins by addressing a High Court ruling that has sparked a controversy around the end of free speech online and employer censorship on social media. The speaker clarifies that they are not a lawyer but will offer their analysis based on reactions they have observed. They mention that different media outlets present the case differently, with socialists claiming workers’ rights are being taken away and bosses asserting unlimited freedom. However, the truth lies in the middle, and the legal system is designed to clarify and redefine laws. The speaker then shares a series of headlines that reflect different perspectives on the case and emphasizes the need for reasonable assessment of the situation. They mention the connection to a recent freedom of religion case involving Mr. Israel Folau, but point out that the issues are different. The transcript then provides a brief summary of the actual case involved, explaining that a public servant with an anonymous Twitter account was dismissed for tweeting critical comments about the government. The case has reached the High Court because the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruled that her dismissal violated the implied freedom of speech in Australia, as the country does not have an explicit constitutional right to free speech. Instead, Australia has signatory obligations to international conventions and common law protections for freedom of opinion and access to information. The speaker concludes by highlighting the importance of understanding the context and noting that different countries have different interpretations and laws regarding free speech.