The eight values of free expression are essential values to our democracy that allow for liberties such as free speech and debate as well as the ability for the people to place checks on and investigate their own government. I believe that the two most important values of free expression are checks on governmental power and promoting innovation.
The first of the two, check on governmental power, is essential to keep a balance between the people and their government. Without the ability for the people to call out their government when they see abuse of power or to investigate the government when there appears to be wrongdoing, the government holds all the power. It is the job and responsibility of journalists, news sources, and even everyday citizens themselves to highlight and expose abuses of power by government anytime they see them and inform the people. Especially now, when with rapidly advancing technology it is easier than ever to be an independent reporter. One of the most prominent cases of this is Edward Snowden in 2013 exposing the NSA for abusing their power and spying on American citizens. Through this the people can make an educated decision about their government and who they wish to vote for in the next election.
The second of the two most important values, promoting innovation, is essential to the success of a government and a country as a whole. A successful country must encourage innovation within its people and promote new ideas and free thinking. This pushes a country forward through new inventions, technological breakthroughs, new medicine, and much more. A country which does not promote innovation with its citizens creates a uninspired, drone-like working class that ultimately leads to the demise of that country. Realistically this looks like promoting STEM programs and schooling for youth, encouraging immigration, and attempting to work productively with other countries.
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