Blog Post No. 1: The Value of Free Expression
Ever wanted to say exactly what you think without someone rolling their eyes, or worse, unfollowing you? Welcome to the messy world of free expression…
Free expression carries a lot of societal value, now more than it ever has because it allows people to participate in conversations, challenge social norms, and hold institutions and people accountable. Like a lot of things in its nature free expression can impact both an individual and others, which makes it even more of a sticky situation. On a societal level, free expression often drives democratic engagement, promotes innovation, and encourages the exchange of ideas and opinions, which are so important for a world to move towards progress (Bejan, pg.95, 2019). On a more personal level, it allows individuals to explore, articulate, and affirm their own beliefs, values, and experiences. The cross between the public and private dimensions of this show why protecting free expression benefits both communities and individuals both in real life for example in political debates and in the digital spaces like Instagram and Facebook.
Michel Foucault’s concept of parrhesia which is the courage to speak openly and honestly even when doing so is risky or socially uncomfortable, clearly illustrates how free expression is tied to personal integrity (Foucault, 1983). Choosing to speak truthfully despite the potential consequences is something that shapes how individuals see themselves and how they are perceived by their peers and authority. Then we put that next to the idea of isegoria, which emphasizes equality in speech, showing that everyone should have the opportunity to contribute to societal dialogue. Through the act of speaking or for the sake of this course typing, individuals show who they are, clarify their values, and negotiate their place within their communities. Digital platforms drastically complicate this dynamic, as social media, institutional rules, and platform controls can limit who feels safe to speak and how what they say is received, revealing the tension between legal rights and social realities. The United Nations recently highlighted this issue, noting that powerful digital platforms and political pressures can reshape online spaces in ways that block certain voices and restrict what can be shared. This shows that freedom of expression online isn’t just a legal question…it’s a human rights concern (OHCHR, 2025)
Despite the complex nature of this, free expression is worth protecting because it forms the foundation for both personal growth and societal resilience. While the First Amendment shields speech from government interference, legal protection alone does not guarantee that individuals can exercise their right freely. The grey cloud of social pressures, institutional rules, and online platform controls can still block honest dialogue, which makes it important to protect these spaces both in-person and online, where people feel safe to speak (Bejan, 2019). Protecting free expression lets voices that are often pushed to the sidelines, along with different opinions and fresh ideas, finally step into the spotlight, helping everyone be heard and making society more inclusive.
Ultimately, free expression is not just a constitutional right, but instead a practice that shapes how we understand ourselves, our relationships, and our world. Its value lies not only in the ability to speak but in the courage to speak truthfully, even when it carries risk, and in fostering the conditions where others can do the same.
References
Foucault, M. (1983). Fearless Speech. University of California Press.https://foucault.info/parrhesia/
Bejan, R. (2019). Mere Civility: Disagreement and the Limits of Toleration. Harvard University Press. https://www.amphilsoc.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/attachments/Bejan.pdf
OHCHR. (2025, October 24). Time to restore a human rights approach to freedom of expression online, says UN expert. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/10/time-restore-human-rights-approach-freedom-expression-online-says-un-expert
