In our modern age, you can be canceled at the drop of a tweet. In many parts of the world, and perhaps less recognized, you can be charged as a criminal for it, too. Lest this only conjure up images of a repressive dictatorship, think again. Criminal censorship — in which the state leverages the force of the law to silence and sanction free expression — is pervasive and proliferating in the West.
Everyone should know the story of Päivi Räsänen — grandmother, medical doctor, longtime member of Finland’s Parliament, and former minister of the interior. In 2019, Päivi took to Twitter to express concern that her church was hosting a Pride parade. In her tweet, she referenced the Bible. For this, she was charged with “hate speech,” tried under Finnish criminal law, and, thankfully, unanimously acquitted on March 30 of last year.
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