Free expression is a fundamental human right that allows individuals to express their beliefs, challenge authority, and contribute to society. While free expression is often understood as a personal freedom, its value extends beyond the individual, shaping public discourse, protecting democracy, and allowing society to progress. Without free expression, individuals would be unable to challenge existing systems of power, allowing those in authority to control public narratives and suppress opposing perspectives. Ultimately, free expression is not just about the individual right to speak, but the role that speech plays in protecting the rights of society as a whole.
In Two Concepts of Freedom (of Speech), Teresa Bejan discusses the ancient Greek concepts of isegoria and parrhesia, distinguishing between the equal right to participate in public discourse and the freedom to speak frankly. These concepts demonstrate how free expression functions as both a public and personal value. While isegoria allows individuals to participate in public discussions, parrhesia allows them to challenge dominant beliefs, even when their opinions are unpopular. Without these freedoms, public discourse would be limited to those already in positions of power, restricting the ability of individuals to advocate for change.
Free expression also contributes to identity by allowing individuals and communities to represent their own experiences. In When Rivers Were Trails, Elizabeth LaPensée and Nichlas Emmons explore how Indigenous storytelling through video games can challenge colonial narratives and preserve cultural identity. By allowing Indigenous communities to tell their own stories, the game demonstrates how expression can be used to reclaim cultural narratives that have historically been controlled by others. It is an example of how free expression contributes to both individual and collective identity, allowing communities to preserve their histories while challenging dominant representations.
In Discourse and Truth: The Problematization of Parrhesia, Michel Foucault explores the concept of parrhesia as a form of truth-telling that requires courage, particularly when speaking the truth involves personal risk. Foucault’s discussion demonstrates how free expression allows individuals to challenge authority and question established beliefs. Without the ability to express uncomfortable truths, society risks allowing injustice to continue without criticism. Free expression, then, is necessary for progress, as it creates opportunities to confront existing systems and advocate for change.
Most importantly, free expression is worth protecting because it is essential to human rights. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes freedom of opinion and expression as a universal right. Protecting this freedom allows individuals to advocate for other rights, challenge discrimination, and hold governments accountable. Without it, the ability to defend other human rights would be significantly weakened.
Clearly, free expression serves a purpose beyond individual freedom. By allowing individuals to challenge authority, preserve their identities, and pursue truth, it contributes to a society where human rights can be defended. Ultimately, protecting free expression means protecting the ability of individuals and communities to shape society rather than simply exist within it.
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