Free speech is the cornerstone of democracy and comedians like Ricky Gervais need the freedom to make jokes that offend or anger some people.
That’s according to Ciara Kelly who was speaking after the UK comedian took his Armageddon World Tour to Dublin this week.
After the show, Irish Independent columnist Barry Egan described it as, 'intolerant, nasty and grossly offensive’ – with 11,000 people laughing along.
What a privilege it is to make hard working people laugh. Best job in the world. Best fans, too. Thanks❤️It's almost a shame that we all die 😂 #Armageddon pic.twitter.com/ffmj1tWu2I
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) July 13, 2023
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, presenter Ciara Kelly said it is essential that comedians like Ricky Gervais have the freedom to say ‘offensive’ things.
“I, personally, am tired of people, what the young people would call tone policing each other,” she said.
“I’m tired of people telling people what they are allowed to say and think.
“I think we need to think about that because it is authoritarian to try and tell other people what they can say.
“Freedom of expression is important in a democracy.
“Free speech is not just the preserve of right-wingers. Free speech used to be a liberal value and it should still be – but you only believe in free speech if you believe in free speech for people you don’t agree with.”
Thanks again Dublin. Always the best 👊 #Armageddon pic.twitter.com/SJxCMDdieK
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) July 12, 2023
Ciara said it is clear that many people do find Gervais’ jokes offensive but when it comes down to it, “so what?”
“So, what if Ricky Gervais is offensive?” she said.
“Since when do we need to police what everyone says or protect ourselves from things that make us vaguely uncomfortable – or even things that we dislike.
“We’ve moved into an era where we’re mad for the idea that offense is like a trump card. I’m offended by what you say so you shouldn’t be allowed to say it – and it is a so what.”
Dark humour
She said it is human nature to laugh at dark humour and we should never let anyone prevent us from doing so.
“Ricky said fascists used to be authoritarian people who oppressed people and locked them up or killed them or shot them, and now we think they are people who listen to a Joe Rogan podcast,” she said.
“There is something in that. We have moved the goalposts on all of these kinds of things.”
She noted that Barry Egan’s suggestion that Gervais’ show was “veering towards hate speech” opens up a serious issue, given the Government is planning to introduce new laws against hate speech.
“We’re bringing in hate speech legislation but the reality is one man’s hate speech is another man’s joke,” said Ciara.
“The minister might think that we all know where the line lies there but I am not sure we actually do.
“With Ricky, I have to say he has a scattergun approach. It isn’t any one group he is going after.
"Equal opportunity insulter"
"He goes after everybody. He is an equal opportunity insulter.
"I do actually think he is funny, I do think he should have a right to laugh and joke about whatever the hell he wants.
“I do say when we hear he is grossly offensive, so what?”
