Jacob Sullum on the Rioter's Veto

The idea that riots in other countries justify censorship in the U.S. represents a new form of heckler's veto, making freedom of speech contingent on the predicted responses of the touchiest listeners anywhere in the world. Such a policy, writes Jacob Sullum, is dangerous to freedom of expression, providing a license to suppress speech deemed provocative, and to public safety, encouraging violence aimed at eliminating offensive messages.