Yes to Freedom » imagination http://yestofreedom.org On the protection of freedom in fiction Sat, 12 May 2012 02:46:05 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 The Beginning http://yestofreedom.org/2009/08/20/the-beginning/ http://yestofreedom.org/2009/08/20/the-beginning/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:32:37 +0000 Azarius http://www.yestofreedom.org/?p=91 As yestofreedom‘s first two campaigns begin, it is worth mentioning that the future success of this initiative entirely depends on mass participation. Your help is therefore primordial.

Passion alone will have to kindle interest in taking action, as money, fame and such have yet to be on our side. Whether you are an otaku, a fervent advocate of free speech or anything else is irrelevant, as long as you are passionate about reaching the goals we aim to attain.

These goals are: on a long-term basis, the factual recognition of absolute freedom of expression as an unalienable right of every human, and, on a short-term basis, the end of the growing censorship of otherwise criminal behaviour depicted in fictional material.

We believe that through our actions, we will succeed in proving the existence of a sufficient public outcry on the current wave of bans to initiate changes in the attitude of politicians towards fiction, so as to get closer to a world where imagination would truly know no bounds.

Of course, by the very nature of the material we defend, we are destined to meet strong opposition. Controversial issues need however to be reflected upon significantly more thoroughly than any other. Consequently, the mere act of sparking off a sensible debate around these matters is likely to do good to our cause.

]]> http://yestofreedom.org/2009/08/20/the-beginning/feed/ 11 On the Protection of Fictional Media http://yestofreedom.org/2009/08/02/the-protection-of-fictional-media/ http://yestofreedom.org/2009/08/02/the-protection-of-fictional-media/#comments Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:00:29 +0000 Sycamore http://www.yestofreedom.org/?p=53 Freedom of speech is among the most important things we are given as humans. We have naturally gained the ability to let our creativity flow through the many streams and rivers that are our imagination. To say you may speak and imagine what you wish as long as it conforms to what “we” believe is not true freedom of speech, and to deny freedom of speech is to corrupt, decay, corrode, and stagnate society. To believe in freedom of speech is to look beyond our initial judgements and stereotypes and even tolerate ideals that we disagree with, thus increasing the diversity of our culture and ideals. The only speech that should ever be impeded is that which inhibits another person’s human rights.

Recently, actions were made against erotic manga, anime, and games due to the depiction of ”minors” (an issue that is extremely controversial as the vast majority of the time, it is next to impossible to distinguish an adult character from a minor), rape and BDSM.

There is no direct causal link between this fictional material where no one has been harmed in the making, distribution, or possession of, and crime. Therefore it is impossible to suggest that such material violates the human rights of others, when it neither inhibits their freedom of speech, nor harms them in any way.

To see a more definitive outline of our views on this topic, check the arguments page; it will be updated shortly with more material regarding our views on the fictional material depicting rape. Formal letters (with a list of people whom to send them to) are also being created for anyone who wishes to show their disapproval of this draconian banishment of free speech.

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