The Eight Values of Free Expression

 

The Eight Values of Free Expression include the Marketplace of Ideas, Participation in Self Government, Stable Change, Individual Self-Fulfillment, Check on Government Power, Promote Tolerance, Promote Innovation, and Protect Dissent. These values give shape to the first amendment and fill out the legislation from a few sentences to a comprehensive guide to freedom of expression. The first amendment is one of the most vital forms of protection American citizens possess against the United States government. In a country originally designed to give the freedoms to the people, over the last two hundred years the United States have attempted to reclaim many of these rights or violate them through censorship and the concept of misinformation. Some of these Values of expression stand out to me as not only fighting for free expression but fighting for a better future for our country as a whole.       

Lee Bollinger, (Former president of Columbia, editor of Columbia Law Review, winner of 2003 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service.) known for his promotion of the Tolerance Theory. This idea of accepting wider rangers of expression will overall grow the “Diversity of Ideas”. Bollinger believes that with the tolerance of extremist speech can reduce strain and prevent the racialization of others. This can be seen in his book The Tolerant Society. This concept stands out to me as it demonstrates the true value of freedom of speech. One can say whatever they like but the people that hear it have the choice with what to do with this information. By promoting tolerance the people take power away from extremists and help grow overall unity and self control in the community 

C. Edwin Baker, (BA from Stanford, JD from Yale). The Idea of Individual Self-Fulfillment as seen in C. Edwin Baker’s Human Liberty and Freedom of Speech. This theory of Self-fulfillment helps the men and women of the United States reach for one of the original concepts of the Declaration of Independence “life liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. By protecting speech to help the individual reach its goal due to individual values. This resonated with me as freedom of speech is more than just speaking up against the government but speaking up for oneself and following one's own unique values.  

Jack Balkin (JD from Harvard, PHD from Cambridge) The theory on the promotion of Innovation is vital  as seen in Balkin’s book Living Originalism. Without the freedom of innovation our county would live in a standstill. This is especially present in today's climate. We live in a county that often seems afraid of change and innovation. However the communication and expression of brilliant minds is what has made our country such a great place to begin with. In recent years this value seems to be lost on many. The government's censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic comes to mind in this situation. Murthy v. Missouri demonstrates the dangers political censorship can have on the lives of our citizens. However this is not the end for Innovation, cases like Murthy v. Missouri allow for others to innovate, create, and share to make our world a better place through their first amendment rights.