Free speech matters
“Laws alone can not secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population.”
— Albert Einstein, 1940
Freedom of speech is one of the defining characteristics of a liberal democracy and a free society. Surely this is guaranteed in most countries’ constitutions, though the extent to which their respective governments respect such freedom varies greatly; but in the broader sense, one may indeed argue that freedom of speech refers to a particular value system, or perhaps even a lifestyle of its own, without the prevalence of which no true democracy can exist.
A liberal democracy, by its very nature, depends on its people to have a diverse mélange of opinions while sharing the eventual goal of seeking a common ground through civil, informed and open-minded discussions and debates. The democracy finds strength in its citizens’ ability and willingness to reason with one another and, in spite of the countless differences and disagreements they invariably will find themselves having, to collaborate on the betterment of the same nation they love and cherish. This would not be possible to accomplish without their realization that, though not every opinion deserves their agreement or even respect, every human — even those who possess the least respectable opinions — must be without exception accepted and respected as a fellow human being.
“Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it. While it lies there it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it.”
— Judge Learned Hand, 1944