Freedom of speech simply means that except in a very few, very limited cases (immediate calls for violence, for example, or state secrets during war time), the government will not interfere in what you think or say.

Recent legislation in the UK and now in Australia has put some further limits on that right that many, including me, find troubling.

However, freedom of speech simply means that you can say what you like without government interference. You are not free from the consequences of saying what you like. Those consequences may include people asking how you know what you claim to know, or people deciding they do not wish to be friends with you, or employ you, or suing you for defamation.

In addition, freedom of speech has never meant that anyone is required to listen to you, or to provide a platform for your views. It is not a denial of freedom of speech for a social media company to decline to host views they believe are offensive or could cause harm to others, or indeed for any reason whatever.

Your freedom to think and say what you like does not mean others can be forced to publish those views.