+ Freedom of speech Freedom of expression, especially on politics and public issues is the vital support of any democracy. Democratic governments do not control the content of most written and verbal speech. Thus democracies are usually filled with many voices expressing different ideas and opinions and even contrary. According to democratic theorists, a free and open debate that usually results is considered the best option and is more likely to avoid serious mistakes. Democracy depends on an educated and well-informed civil society whose access to information enables it to participate as fully as possible in the public life of their society and criticizing government officials or unwise or tyrannical policies. Citizens and their elected representatives recognize that democracy depends upon the widest possible access to ideas, information and opinions are not subject to censorship. For a free people to govern themselves, they must be free to express themselves - openly, publicly, and repeatedly; oral or written form. The principle of freedom of expression must be protected by a democracys constitution, preventing the legislative or executive branches of government from imposing censorship. The protection of freedom of expression is a right called negative, simply requiring that the government refrain from limiting speech, unlike the direct action required of the so-called affirmative rights. Most of the authorities in a democracy are uninvolved in the content of speech written or spoken in society. Protests serve to test any democracy - thus the right to peaceful assembly is essential and plays a key role in facilitating the use of free speech. A civil society allows for spirited debate among those in deep disagreement. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but it is not absolute, and can not be used to justify violence, slander, libel, subversion, or obscenity. Consolidated democracies generally require a high degree of threat to justify the prohibition of free speech that could incite violence, to slander the reputation of others, overthrow a constitutional government, or promote lewd behavior. Most democracies also forbid speech that incites racial or ethnic hatred. The challenge for a democracy is one of balance: to defend freedom of expression and assembly while countering speech that incites violence, intimidation, or subversion. Responsibility of the Government >>>>https://youtube/watch?v=nAHRF87R8eU
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 01:02:18 +0000
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