Book Review: Katharine Gelber, Free Speech after 9/11Free Speech after 9/11

What is it about?

This analytical and detailed book surveys the limitations introduced by Australia, United States and United Kingdom on freedom of speech after the terror attack of 9/11, 2001. Gelber analysed 3,969 speeches on the topic of national security from September 2001 to September 2011. The results of this meticulous analysis show strong similarities in the discursive security justifications to limit speech in the three countries. Gelber identified eight common themes elucidated by key agents in the three countries in support of free-speech restrictions: describing the post 9/11 era as a war; describing the relationship between security and liberty in hierarchical terms that privileged security; accentuating the need for a new policy paradigm, for securing freedom and order, for pushing the limits of the law in order to address the looming threat, for ensuring public safety, for changing our views about freedom, and for protecting the innocent and law-abiding citizens.

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Why is it important?

Gelber is highly critical of the three governments. She does not think that the anti-terror policies have made the countries more secure. Quite the opposite. Gelber thinks that Australia, United States and United Kingdom are now in a more precarious situation and that the cost of undermining free speech is far too high. She ends her book by raising a clear voice for reversing the illiberal policies to the pre-9/11 situation.

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