Kwesi Pratt: Freedom Of Speech Is Not Insults

The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt has expressed disgust at the abuse of freedom of speech and expression in the country. This was in relation to the recent insults heaped on the president by an NPP youth Activist. Mr. Pratt says, democracy underscores the notion of freedom of speech and expression but the concept should be distinguished from insult and other forms of irritating pronouncements. In an interview with Multi TV, Mr. Pratt described as unfortunate the fact that free speech has taken a different turn in the form of verbal assault and the making of illicit statements. Mr. Pratt cautioned political leaders and activists to be mindful of their utterance as the present generation is likely to emulate them. He stressed that insults do not augur well for our democratic development. �But if we have to retaliate each other on what will not promote our country, consequently people will end up fighting each other� he said. He noted that for the country to develop economically and socially, there is the need to hold discussions that will generate the adequate revenue from our resources as well as to provide good education and good health for the people.