As we discussed in class, there are eight values of free expression. Free expression is defined as "the right to express one's ideas and opinions freely through speech, writing, and other forms of communication but without deliberately causing harm to others' character and/or reputation by false or misleading statements." This is guaranteed to all American citizens in the first amendment through freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition. The eight values are (1) Marketplace of Ideas, (2) Participation in Self-Government, (3) Stable Change, (4) Individual Self-Fulfillment, (5) Check on Governmental Power, (6) Promote Tolerance, (7) Promote Innovation, and (8) Protect Dissent. Out of these eight values, there are two in particular that stand out to me: (2) Participation in Self-Government and (5) Check on Governmental Power.Participation in Self-Government says that citizens will not make wise and informed choices in elections if candidates and supporters of certain policies are restricted in their ability to communicate their positions on certain issues. Citizens need to be informed on which candidates support the same issues they do and which ones don't so they can elect the person they think would best represent them in office. This is obviously big for the presidential elections, but it is important for every single election, whether it's for a local mayor or for a congressman. The next one I think is important is Check on Governmental Power. This is also known as the "Watchdog Role." This essentially says that the people, as well as the press, are a part of the checks and balances system that prevents the government from overstepping its boundaries. I read an article from Harvard Politics that gave a quote from Thomas Jefferson on the role of the press: "'Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter,' Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter in 1787." The press is able to (or supposed to) keep the public informed as to what is going on inside the government to help citizens make the best possible choice at the ballot box. These two values go hand-in-hand in this way as they relate to citizens making informed choices about who they vote for. I think they are both very important and necessary to keep the country running smoothly.
