The Importance of Freedom of Speech and Expression

The Importance of Freedom of Speech and Expression Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation The Importance of Freedom of Speech and Expression Humans as rational beings can do many things. However, in civil society, their desires are controlled and regulated to ensure the exercise of similar desires by other people. There are various human rights that are necessary for the existence of humans. The freedom of speech and expression remains a fundamental human right. Without this right, it is not possible for a society to progress. The ability of the members of society to express themselves enhances the functioning of society. A closed society with time becomes an autocracy where corruption and other evils thrive. Freedom of speech and expression implies the right of individuals to express their convictions and opinions freely. They can do this through writing, pictures, the words of mouth and any other method that they desire. The free propagation of ideas is necessary to ensure the free flow of information in a society. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the freedom of expression (Sedler, 2006). It also outlines instances where the same right may be restricted for instance in child pornography, fraud, and speech that causes lawless action among others. As long as individuals operate within the provisions of the law, they should be able to exercise this fundamental right. People should be free to express themselves even in their mode of dressing (Kim & Sherman, 2007). For instance, wearing makeup and pants have become a worldwide custom. It has continued to become socially acceptable. Hence, to question the use of makeup and wearing of pants may ap...