The Eight Values of Free Expression
The importance of freedom of speech has been an idea in America since 1801, via Jefferson V Madison. Madison stated, "The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments," proving that people should be able to say as much as they want without reprisal. This idea, along with many others, eventually formed into the Eight Values of Free Expression. One of the most prominent examples of this is the marketplace of ideas, an idea suggested by John Milton in 1644. Although the other 7 followed shortly, they had the same type of impact as the first.
The values that I believe I relate to the most are Individual Self-Fulfillment and Protecting Dissent. These two perfectly represent my views on free speech. Individual self-rule relies on the idea of personal growth. Humans form their identities through communication. This can be by sharing beliefs, emotions, experiences, etc. When people are free to speak, they can share their thoughts and express themselves freely. Taking this away restricts expression, therefore limits more than speech. This also limits personal growth. An example of this is John Stuart Mill, who argued that self-expression enables individuals to compare their beliefs with those of others. Even when ideas from other people are unpopular or if they disagree, it's still good to express oneself, and it gives them a sense of independence.
The idea of self-fulfilment through expression also applies to creative activities or outlets. These could range from poetry, visual art, music, or literature. These frequently express emotions that are different from those expressed through logic alone. For a lot of people, these forms of expression remove personal narratives and make society less active. In this way, the right to free speech confirms that people are their own person and have their own opinions.
This value of fulfilment ties closely together with the value of protecting dissent, which plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy society. Dissent frequently refers to the expression of ideas that challenge social norms, policies, or authorities. While dissent is frequently uncomfortable for some people, it is often the source of social progress. Historical movements such as civil rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and others all begin with dissenting voices that were originally ignored or suppressed. Without protection for dissent, these revolutionary developments would not be possible.
To add on, defending dissent is used as a check on authority. Errors often occur in the government, especially when it functions without criticism. Citizens can challenge laws, call out unfairness, and demand change without worrying about harm because of freedom of expression. Dissent in this sense strengthens society by avoiding abuse of power.
In conclusion, individual self-fulfillment and the protection of dissent are, in my opinion, central to the value of free expression. They acknowledge the value of expression as not only a personal right, but a good to the community. Free expression promotes societal progress, individual development, and equality, which represents self-fulfillment and protection of dissent.
