Article 19 of the Indian Constitution grants freedom of speech and expression to every citizen. This freedom guarantees us to express our thoughts, and opinions and share experiences. This freedom is not only related to an individual but to the media, political parties, and government also. As a student, you must know all about your fundamental rights and how to exercise them. Today, we will discuss an essay on freedom of speech and how it can be exercised.
Short Essay on Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech is one of the constitutional rights of our democratic country. This right states, ‘All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression.’ The concept of free speech has been practised by writers and artists since ancient times, but it was first introduced into the legal system in 1689. IT is not just a fundamental right but an essential factor normal functioning of democracy. It emphasises free speech, expression of opinions and the right of minorities to be heard. Apart from the democratic approach, it also promotes self-expression which is necessary for an individual’s dignity. Despite its importance, this right has several challenges like hate speech and misinformation, which can even lead to violence. The social media platform provides a large platform for the misuse of this freedom. ‘Hence, it is important to tackle these challenges by promoting free speech and ensuring social safety. By upholding the value of this fundamental right, we can ensure a safe and free society. Thank you!’ |
Quick Read: Essay on Child Labour
Long Essay on Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. This right is mandatory for an equal and free society where everyone has the freedom to express themselves. The freedom of speech states, ‘All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression.’ The concept of freedom of speech goes back to ancient times when many of our writers displayed the freedom of their opinions and viewpoints through their writings. The foundation of freedom of speech in the modern legal system was introduced in the United States Constitution which states, “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Another article of the United Declaration of Human Rights states, ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.’ Free speech is more than just a right. It is an essential component for the normal functioning of society. For a democratic country, the citizens must be well-informed and able to express their opinions on several issues. Free speech ensures that leaders are held accountable and the voices of minorities are heard. Apart from the democratic approach, free speech also promotes self-expression. It allows an individual to express their opinions, ideas, viewpoints, and perspectives to others. The ability to express freely gives a sense of empowerment and a will to live with dignity. Despite its importance, free speech faces several challenges in the modern world. One of the challenges is the misuse of this freedom. People associate this right with the freedom to say anything that comes to their mind. This gives rise to hate speech and the spread of misinformation. Social media has given these types of challenges a big platform to raise. The power of hate speech cannot be underestimated since it can instigate violence and undermine public trust. It is very important to balance freedom of speech while protecting society. Many countries have implemented laws against hate speech and misinformation, but the fundamental difficulty is defining what is and is not acceptable in the context of free speech. Through all this, it is very important to understand that freedom of speech is a fundamental right; it is not absolute. This right needs to be balanced with other societal values like equality, security, and other moral values. It is much more important that hate speech doesn’t harm any marginalized group, based on religion, gender or sexual orientation. We all must learn to respect and value others’ freedom of speech. Understanding the sensitivity of this right is what makes it more essential for a healthy democracy. Getting educated about this topic while balancing its freedom is necessary for exercising this rightfully respectful discourse. BY upholding the principle of this fundamental right in the context of modern times, we can ensure that freedom of speech serves as a pillar of a free society. |
Also Read: Essay on Freedom in 100, 200 and 300 Words
FAQs
A.1 Freedom of speech is one of the constitutional rights of our democracy. The freedom of speech states, “All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression.”
A.2 The concept of freedom of speech goes back to ancient times when many of our writers and artists displayed the freedom of their opinions and viewpoints through their writings or artworks.
A.3 Right to Speech faces several challenges in the modern world. One of the challenges is the misuse of this freedom. People associate this right with the freedom to say anything that comes to their mind. This gives rise to hate speech and the spreading of misinformation. The power of hate speech cannot be underestimated since it can instigate violence and undermine public trust.
Popular Essay Topics
For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu.