Do We Have Freedom of Speech? Should We? (By: Carys)

                                           

   Can you imagine what the world looked like in ancient and modern days? To answer this question, let’s talk about ancient days first. Last time, the technology was not advanced at that moment. This means that we had neither gadgets nor machines to conduct activities. Without them, the only mechanism to do so was to rely on humans’ work. It was very time-consuming and tiresome. The worst part was the world had suffered with many malicious obstacles like the merciless war, slavery, and poverty before. Men and women were unequal. On the other hand, in modern days, most of the countries had already attained independence and become harmonious. We can carry out activities that we want. Men and women in society are equal. Many devices and machines are invented. We can even go overseas too. No more slavery and poverty in this tremendous world. 

  Besides the comparisons between the world last time and now above, in this case, let us talk about another example, freedom, or rights of speech, first. To answer the question if we have freedom of speech, it is a yes most of the times. What does freedom of speech mean? It says that individuals have the power and freedom to express, articulate their opinion or ideas without censorship, restraint, retaliation, or legal penalty, sanction. A lot of territories have constitutional laws to defend their own citizens if they want to provide ideas and speech freely about their own government. On behalf of speech rights, democracy, a governmental system which political power is bestowed to the people, became part of it. Here is the comparison and history of the freedom of speech from ancient times until now-------------The Greece term, “parrhesia,” meant to speak candidly. To take one of the examples of the creation of freedom of speech, here, let’s talk about the Glorious Revolution, which is also known as bloodless revolution in England in the year 1688 as it attained harmoniously without the embroilment of war. It told a scene about a brutal ruler, King James II, whom his promotion and conversion to Catholicism, deeply troubled the Protestant majority in England. What made King James II worst and controversial was that he spent luxuriously, and summoned Parliament only once between the year 1612 and 1622. That also meant that citizens have no rights to provide ideas to the government if there were errors on it. King James II levied unpopular taxes on imports and exports goods without confirmation from Parliament. To express criticisms to King James II, what actions were taken? Fortunately, an acquaintance of his daughter, Princess Mary II, together with her Dutch husband, William III of Orange, assembled their citizens at Torbay, Devon, in November 1688 to protest. Looking at his people attacking him, King James II departed from London to bring his men to combat against the invading soldiers. Thus, King James II’s health was in the treacherous level. Later then, he changed his mind. What was he going to do? He decided to come back to London on November 23 to announce of his will of allowing the ongoing of the Parliament. Although everyone thought that he might stay and rule in London forever, but that mission failed to do so. Why? He planned to left England due to his deterioration of his own safety. He attempted to escape from London as he was overthrown in December 1688 but was arrested. He was confined politically and exiled. After one month, King James II fled to France. That year, 1689, England had no ruler. What was the solution? Queen Mary II and King William III of Orange joined their reigns together, which marked the latest and most significant shift to a more effective British governmental system. That enhanced the strength of the Parliament and aided a more constitutional monarchy system. In addition, there was an act called the Bill of Rights. It resembled how essential the constitution of the Parliament was and the freedom of speech among people. It had contents that stated that since Parliament is the source for setting up the laws ultimately most of the times, the monarch should be refrained from suspending or dispensing laws without affirmation and consent from it. A monarch should not arbitrarily impose taxes, bail, and fines, interfere with elections, restrict free speech, maintain a standing soldier during reconciliation, or use the treasury for private gain. Bill of Rights provided meaningful, legislative, and productive information, Queen Mary II and King William III of Orange supported and endorsed it.  

  There is another question to answer: should we keep this doctrine on?  It is also a yes. Freedom of speech gives many importance to people. What are they? To start with, it leads to accountability. In current days, we can see that elections are organized for people to vote for their best and desirable leaders and politicians to guide them efficiently, accountably and lead to a better, peaceful, safe, and futuristic world. They should understand the performance of the political party to determine the power and the fulfilment of the elections. Media outlets and civil society organizations are responsible for contributing to the public’s discernment and the effectiveness of the governmental system by reporting on the society’s most emphasized issue, but they must be truthful if they are mentioning the information that is nearly crucial and sensitive to the state, as it makes the citizens feel safe to vocalize. This also shows that freedom of speech aids in combating for truth. Therefore, power abuse among people is obstructed in the long run.  

  Besides that, rights of speech encourage active enrolment of people to shape policies democratically. It is a good point to say that public discourses like elections and referendums prove them but only come in certain years. Citizens can assemble freely but must follow their countries’ own laws. They can create informed opinions and express political decisions without the apprehension of censorship and reprisal. If there is a mistake of the government, they have the right to protest and give undesirable comments. Additionally, freedom of speech promotes liberty, human dignity, and equal treatment of citizens regardless of their background. Helpfulness, tolerance, cooperation, and tribute are present among people. It recognizes how rationally the people think and express ideas. Since elections and referendums are open to all citizens in their own countries, they can vote for their most authorized leaders to treat them equally. Additionally, freedom of speech is vital for social change and innovation. It permits individuals to challenge the status quo and advocate for social change, no matter how good or bad it is. With it, creativity and innovation are enhanced as people can provide new opinions to be debated. 

  To finalize, freedom of speech gives a lot of pros to people worldwide. Thus, we, as responsible citizens, should maintain and safeguard freedom of speech productively but ought to be concerned about the constitutional laws needed.