Verified Document

Freedom Of Speech There Was Essay

Both are important components of our interest in free speech" (Lichtenberg, 336). Still some believe that any infringement upon the media would diminish the amount of true information disseminated into society. Truth, though, is filled with ambiguity and is intangible -- the "truth" of the media story is based on a moment in time, a slant from the reporter or producer, and if designed to promote the most controversial aspects of a story, becomes subjective truth simply out of necessity -- we are bound by our senses and certainly what we see, hear, and experience is fleeting, This, to Lichtenberg, is similar to the sliding scale of morality that we hold. She uses the example of a restaurant and an individual's personal dining table. We can legally discriminate on the basis of race in choosing whom to invite for dinner, even if it is morally abhorrent. We value choice and personal freedom to the point in which it overrides our views of equality. Yet, when that scenario turns commercial, not only is the principle of privacy revoked, but we now legislate morality and would never allow discrimination (Lichtenberg, 343).

In the 21st century, though, we now have a new conundrum -- what to do with cyberspace and media that is intangible, unregulated, and has a very different access paradigm than print and broadcast media? When adding social media, we find that "no other mode of communication in human history has facilitated the democratization of communication" (Deibert and Rohozinski, 43). The Internet is a tool, however,...

While cyber communications have certainly aided the world towards openness and democracy, it has also allowed for extensive invasions to personal privacy. Digital communication may be tracked and thus a comment made online in a chat room in 1998 can become evidence against that same person in a trial in 2012.
When dealing with the constitutionality of a subject we must realize that as a living document, the Constitution is a guide, a reference point to interpretations. Instead of asking ourselves whether we should put more controls on the Internet, for instance, by adding a clause to fundamental rights that includes social media, perhaps it is in the better interests of society to educate students into being more and more critical and analytical about the information they consume. It will be the public that decides which media require a greater degree of cynicism and "self-censorship," not politicians and not the advertisers. Then, instead of the media receiving special rights, the very nature of self-regulation through public opinion (advertisers would not promote a show that was antithetical to the public, it would lose money). The masses gave these special rights, and it is masses that can remove them (Lichtenberg, 355).

Sources

Deibert, R. And Rohozinski, R. "Liberation vs. Control in Cyberspace." Journal of Democracy. 21 (4): 2010,

Lichtenberg, J. "Foundations and Limits of Freedom of the Press." Philosophy and…

Sources used in this document:
Sources

Deibert, R. And Rohozinski, R. "Liberation vs. Control in Cyberspace." Journal of Democracy. 21 (4): 2010,

Lichtenberg, J. "Foundations and Limits of Freedom of the Press." Philosophy and Public

Affairs. 16 (4): 1987, 329-55.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Freedom Speech Guarantees Freedom Extend Disturbing Funeral
Words: 1275 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Freedom speech guarantees freedom extend disturbing funeral (Armed Forces funerals) support claim, acknowledge claim opponent, find common ground . There is presently much controversy regarding the concept of freedom of speech and the fact that people are often denied the right to speak when they want to express themselves. Even with this, there are a series of situations when one's right to express his or her position needs to be

Freedom of Speech History of Case Gitlow
Words: 1002 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Freedom of Speech History of Case Gitlow v. New York Gitlow v.New York was a decision that was made by the supreme court of the United States on June 8, 1925 which ruled that the fourteenth amendment to the constitution of the United States extended the reach of limitations of the federal government authority that that had been set in the First amendment. The specific provisions were protection of freedom of speech

Freedom of Speech Is a Human Right
Words: 693 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Freedom of speech is a human right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Yet, in the worlds of public and private employment, employers have some limited rights with regard to the things their employees can say. These generally differ for public and private employees. The main basis for this difference is the fact that public employees offer their services to the Government, which in turn is to act in

Freedom of Expression
Words: 1552 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION plays an important role in the doctrines of human liberty. However not every country grants this right to its citizens. There are many countries in the world where freedom of expression is still a contentious issue and which have been categorized by Freedom House as not being entirely free. The United States of America is one country where the constitution gives every American the freedom of speech

Freedom of Speech and Art Freedom of
Words: 1185 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Freedom of Speech and Art "Freedom of speech' is a fundamental right of citizens of the United States. The constitution grants complete freedom of speech under the First Amendment which states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for

Freedom of Speech in 1776, the United
Words: 966 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Freedom of Speech In 1776, the United States Constitution was signed to protect the freedoms of every American and to solidify the rights that so many were currently fighting for. It was the government that implemented ways for everyone to have equal rights to express what ever they deemed appropriate without the fear of there being repercussions for their actions. That is no longer the case. The government now, instead of

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now