DIAMONDS IN THE DIRT: THE COST OF FREE SPEECH
Image on Google Human beings are the pre-eminent social animal on the planet, and we depend on our ability to communicate with others for survival and success. Speech allows us to express our ideas and our viewpoints on different subject matters, and reach a consensus on how to navigate this complex and ever-changing world. It is against this backdrop that national and international law guarantee the right to freedom of expression, to seek and impart knowledge and ideas in numerous forms. The justifications for freedom of expression are relatively straightforward: free discussion allows citizens to be exposed to a range of ideas, resulting in better judgements and thereafter tangible economic benefits. Further, curtailing freedom of expression is an infringement on the individual’s aut...