In the context of Singapore's multi-racial society, where there is cultural and religious pluralism, which author's view do u think should be adopted?

In order for a society to function effectively without any flaws, everybody belonging to that society should live in harmony; regardless of race, language and religion. This is definitely possible if the government is able to open up to the people's views and accept and analyse them; taking into account every person's importance of his/her role in the society.

Peter Singer's article showed a great deal of persistence in standing up for him/herself. In his article, he thinks that "freedom of spech is essential to democratic regimes, and it must include the freedom to say what everybody else believes to be false, and even what many people find offensive." He was trying to drive at the point that in a country, every single person plays a very important role, and that personal views should be brought up in view for the society to place a judgement. And that "without that freedom, human progess will always run up against a basic roadblock." However, there is a flipside to his view. If everyone else was to be so insensitive to others, and speak up at his own whim and fancy, wouldn't the world be a difficult place to be in? This brings me to another important section of my discussion.

Zsofia Szilagyi's viewpoint was far off from what Singer had perceived. Szilagyi had asked for a society where everybody practises social responsibility. Due to the western media's overlooking, the Danish and Norwegian newspapers had published provocative cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, thus "setting off mass demonstrations, diplomatic rows and economic boycotts.. in the Middle East." Had the press learnt to be more sensitive, these unpleasant happenings would not have taken place at all. It was all because the media did not weigh out the possible consequences that would have taken place if these articles were published. Everybody is part of the society, and that "whether we like it or not, now we all effectively live next door to one another." This further proves that responsibility is more important than freedom in a democratic society like Singapore. Singapore will have to learn "how to strike a balance between individual and collective press freedom rights." The presence of many races in Singapore enhances the importance of this virtue; being respectful to anothers, and being responsible to yourself.

Undeniably, freedom of speech is and will still be an essential foundation of any democracy, but we have to understand that responsibility comes with freedom. Only with this understanding, Singapore would be able to progress further socially.