Eight Values Of Free Expression

    The first amendment and the freedom of expression are key parts of the American Democracy, it shapes who and what we are as a society. Within the Eight Values of Free Expression there are two that resonate the most with me are probably the Marketplace of Ideas and Protecting Dissent. I feel like both of these connect well with me personally and show up daily in our lives, especially with how much technology exists in the world today. 

    The Marketplace of Ideas talks about how the truth will prevail if people are allowed to openly discuss and negotiate with different ideas. Described by John Milton, this theory is important with social media and the mass population being able to post whatever’s on their mind. Apps like X, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Reddit all make it possible. Millions of people within the US have access to a place to share their beliefs and opinions freely. 

    This theory can have a lot of challenges, but there are many examples of it working in the real world. During the pandemic there was widespread information, and according to Pew Research Center a survey discovered that 62% of Americans believe the advantages of taking the vaccine outweigh the risks. This shows that scientific evidence can help sway public opinion and policies.

    The other important one is the theory of Protecting Dissent, which argues that its vital to defend the minority and unpopular opinions no matter how disagreeable it could be. It’s seems important to have this theory for a healthy democracy, it really allows new perspectives to be heard which can lead to valuable social changes. 

The Civil Rights movement could be an example of Protecting Dissent. As explained by an article on Wikipedia the Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected the voting rights for minorities, which is a huge improvement for society in the sense of equality and justice. Today, the protests against police brutality are examples of this theory right in front of our eyes. 

Movements like Black Lives Matter, or the Women’s Suffrage Movement embody the importance of conveying those dissenting views, especially when they are faced with strong hostility. What we need to do is protect the rights of the minority to make sure our society can grow, evolve, and improve.

    I use social media all the time, and honestly so does almost every person I know. I really see how both of these theories can be applied to our everyday lives. Social media has amplified voices of those who are normally ignored by the mass population, on the other hand it sheds light on the need for analytical thinking and media & law literacy courses. Finding a balance between helpful and open discussions and knowing what is misinformation is very important when navigating the internet, or even real life. 

    These Eight Speech Theories remind me of why the freedom of expression is so necessary. It’s crucial to follow them and defend open discussions, help out the minorities voice, and try to help society adapt and get better.