Eight Values of Free Expression and Why Arguing is Good for You

When reviewing the Eight Values of Free Expression the one I connected with the most was the final

one on the list: Protection of Dissent. The Value serves as a reminder that we live in a supposedly civil

society, and that we are not governed by the rules of the mob or the masses. The views of the

individual are protected, even if they contradict popular opinion and almost especially if they contradict

the government. 

We, as the people of the United States, have the right and duty to disagree with and criticize the

government, especially when the actions of the government violate the rights of the people it is meant

to protect. This theory, however, also applies to minority opinions that may be seen as offensive,

including offensive language, flag burning and other forms of hate speech. For that reason I think that

this theory can be very closely tied to the Promote Tolerance theory, as they both serve to protect

opinions, ideas, outlooks and views that may otherwise be smothered by the masses. These two

theories also link very closely with the Marketplace of Ideas, because once the less popular views are

protected and allowed into the marketplace, the people as a whole hold the responsibility of allowing

them to prosper or refusing to allow them traction. It is the job of the public, and not the government,

to allow, refuse, spread or extinguish these ideas once they have been introduced, and the governments

only role in this matter is to ensure that those introducing the ideas all have equal protection under

the law.

One of the more obvious ways that this value appears in media today is in the political discourse

surrounding the current President as well as potential candidates. The public are allowed to freely

speak against, criticize and even insult political figures without fear of retribution from the government.

The popularity of these debates on social media is part of what creates debate among the people, and

this discourse allows for the evolution of ideas, the changing of minds, and the overall growth of the

people as a whole.