Georgia Reporter

July 25, 2011

The Essence of Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech is very important to each and every person. Every human being must have the right to write, speak, and receive ideas from others without any worries. Democratic countries have implemented the law of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without restraint. People in democratic nations have the right to express their feelings or opinions through verbal language. It can also be distinguished as an act of receiving ideas and information from other people. Under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the freedom of speech is identified as a human right. It was also identified as the right to hold opinions without interference in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In early human rights documents, ideas of freedom of speech are stated. During the European Enlightenment, ideas of freedom of speech have appeared slowly. One of the most valuable of the rights of human is the freedom of communication of information and opinions.

The right to freedom of expression should be given to the people. This was also stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This article was approved in 1948. Freedom to hold opinions without intrusion and receive any information by any media was also stated in this article. Currently, the international and regional human rights laws have recognized the freedom of speech. The right to freedom speech is also connected to other rights. This right is also connected to the right to a fair trial. For the media, the right to freedom of expression is very important. On the other hand, the freedom of the press is only a form of property right. The ideas of freedom of speech are closely associated to political discussions and the concept of democracy. Alexander Meiklejohn is considered as one of the most prominent advocates of the relation between democracy and freedom of speech. Alexander stated that the ideas of democracy are that of self-government by the people.

An argument about the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of speech remains with social interactions was made. Communicating to other people freely is also a form of freedom of speech.  Freedom of speech also has limitations. The limits on the freedom of speech were recognized by large society and legal systems. This was stated by the freedom Forum Organization.

The editor of the Index on Censorship said that that internet is used as a revolt for restriction. Freedom of speech is also identified as one figure of freedom of expression, utilized to any medium and this includes the internet. This is according to International, national and regional standards. Freedom of speech has its extension and this is the freedom of information. In the freedom of information, the internet is the way of expression. In the background of information technology and internet, the freedom of information is connected to the right to privacy. Aside from this, freedom of information is also considered as the extension of the human right.

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