Freedom of speech

Freedom of Speech is a fundamental human right that allows individuals to express their thoughts and ideas without fear of government retaliation, censorship, or societal sanction. The concept is recognized in international human rights law under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is constitutionally protected in many countries.

Definition

Freedom of speech is the right to articulate one's opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or censorship, or societal sanction. The term "freedom of expression" is sometimes used synonymously but includes any act of seeking, receiving, and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.

History

The concept of freedom of speech has been recognized as a fundamental human right since ancient times. The ancient Greeks were among the first to recognize the importance of free speech, and it was a central tenet of their democratic system. In modern times, freedom of speech is recognized in international law through numerous human rights instruments, notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Legal Protections

In many countries, freedom of speech is constitutionally protected. These protections vary widely from country to country, and even within countries, but they generally include protections against government censorship and punishment for the expression of ideas.

Limitations

While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it is not absolute. Most countries have laws that limit this freedom in certain cases, such as libel, slander, obscenity, pornography, sedition, incitement to violence, hate speech, and speech that violates privacy. These limitations are often the subject of significant debate and controversy.

See Also

• Human Rights
• Censorship
• Hate Speech
• Privacy

References

Freedom of speech Resources
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