By Josie Barker
Using recent events, this article highlights the importance of freedom of speech, and what it represents.
Importance of Freedom Of Speech
Undoubtedly, free speech is more than just a right, it’s the heartbeat of America’s republic and the key to progress. A democracy relies on its people’s access to knowledge about the current state of their country. Even if an opinion is distasteful, free speech is the cornerstone of a functional democracy, and we need to hear all arguments from everyone in order to develop as a society. Although some try to suggest freedom of speech is a government-given right, it is not. Freedom of speech is a basic human right, and honestly, something that makes us human: the ability to think and reason with one another.
Free speech enables citizens to voice their opinions, and keep their government accountable. Freedom of speech is a drive for social progress, allowing the public to challenge authorities, and hold the people in power accountable.
Even Dumb Ideas Should Still Make the Cut
Everyone has the ability to voice their view whether you like it or not. You don’t have to stand there and listen to an opinion, however the bottom line is you do not have the power to eliminate it. It is well known that if you ban a book, everyone will want to read it. Oftentimes, shutting down free speech gives opportunities to the wrong people. In fact, hearing how bad an idea is can actually be a good thing. Although it may be uncomfortable, hearing a hot take allows us to understand the utter awfulness of the opinion. Frankly, terminating a controversial or down right unpleasant idea allows the proposition to go underground and fester, thus preventing people from grasping the true horror behind the objective.
We’ve all heard of Charlie Kirk’s death, but what we fail to really grasp is the dampening effect his assination has left on our society. While debating at Utah University, Kirk, an American right-wing political activist, was assassinated for speaking publicly on what some people considered uncomfortable ideas. The death of Kirk, a controversial, influential social media campaigner, has triggered greater division in America. Lamentably, during a time where unity is crucial, most people, including myself, stick to the narrow minds we were born with, full of even narrower ideas. Kirk’s death has become an excuse to blame all parties. Now the shooter, a real “Nancy Drew” trying to solve a crime, fails to comprehend his fatal experiment only turned Kirk into a martyr and will give many of his ideas, as distasteful as they may be, more power, which presumably wasn’t the attacker’s goal. As mentioned before, even dumb ideas still make the cut, and despite your political views, Kirk’s death was hateful and unnecessary and the only consequence this event has created is a greater divide between the red and blue as well as the resurfacing and support for stupid ideas.
Regarding recent events, the temporary suspension invoked by ABC (who were pressured by the government) of Jimmy Kimmel, a renowned comedian and television host, further threatens our human right of freedom of speech. Kimmel was removed for making controversial comments upon the death of Charlie Kirk and for mocking the president’s response to the tragedy. Whether Kimmel was right or wrong, this suspension sparks a huge debate: is this legal? Kimmel’s shunning is an example of “jawboning,” an action that restricts certain speech. Our higher authorities are demonstrating that they are able to restrict our freedom of speech with the eviction of Kimmel. In this day and time, our journalists and comedians are unsafe. Consequently, without letting people engage with opposing views, they will resort to hostility, as we have seen, open dialogue also plays a crucial role in bridging political divides.
Importance of Safeguarding Minority Voices
Imagine not having the freedom to report on certain topics. Free press, a powerful tool for holding those in power accountable, allows societies to stay informed. Media platforms help amplify these hidden voices, but they can also blow them out of proportion. Fortunately, in America we possess this freedom contrary to other nations such as North Korea, which continues to exercise harsh censorship over all aspects of life and limits access to information. In other places such as Iran, free speech is also suppressed, and the rights of groups involving women, LGBT+ people, and ethnic/religious minorities are subjected to extreme violence along with heavy discrimination. Without a free press, we are limited to only hearing the side of the story supported and broadcasted by the government, and the population is unable to form reasoned, balanced opinions.
People should have access to all sorts of information freely, even if that information is uncomfortable. Ideas should be put into the public for discussion and debate, afterall, sunlight is the best disinfectant. No one has been given the right to take away your voice, no matter how many sounds attempt to drown you out. Your voice should and must be protected as this is a fundamental, and constitutional right.
Sources:
Protecting free speech: 5 reasons why free speech is important – Stand Together