Hate Speech from the Angle of Political Theory and Legal Regulations

With the advent of ever more far-reaching social media networks and international news organizations, hate speech has become widespread. It should come as no surprise perhaps then that hate speech has become a hot topic in legal circles. The issue of regulating hate speech is a challenging subject, as the issue inevitably involves a clash of even more complex issues, such as the limits of free speech and individual expression on the one hand, and the protection of minorities, and discrimination on the other. This study aims to understand this clash and assert the philosophical and legal framework to understand what is wrong with hate speech. In this study, the author would like to discuss the issue from a political theory perspective derived from theoretical works of John Stuart Mill and Hannah Arendt on the one hand and legal discourse and regulations concerning freedom of expression and hate speech on the other. Turkish case concerning hate speech by evaluating legal regulations, political culture and public responses is supposed to contribute the discussions on hate speech.