8 Values of Free Expression

 8 Values of Free Expression

    The 8 Values of Free Expression are as follows; national security, safety, public morality, privacy, reputation, dignity, and equality. According to Chemerinsky at UNC, "Freedom of expression—which includes verbal and nonverbal behaviors that express a person’s opinion, point of view, or identity—is considered a fundamental right within our political system." Obviously, free expression and all that means are extremely important, but I believe that privacy and equality are the two most important.

 

    Privacy is defined by Oxford Dictionary as "the state of being free from public attention." Who doesn't love having privacy? The privacy should be a natural right that everyone is given regardless. That is an example of equality which is the second most important value of free expression. Equality, as defined by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, "is about ensuring every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents." I think these two are just basic human rights to me and I believe that is how it should be. Privacy is needed in all sorts of scenarios, but most importantly with our personal information. The 1st Amendment protects this value that should be a right.

 

    The Equality Act of 2010, "prohibits all employers, service providers and providers of education, from discriminating against, harassing or victimizing individuals with protected characteristics." Examples, given by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, of unlawful discrimination are; refusing to admit a child to a school as a pupil because of their race or discouraging a female student from undertaking a course in Engineering. We are all created equal, breathe the same air, and eat the same foods so why do we act as though we are all so different. Yes, we are all unique, but at the end of the day, we are all flesh and bones regardless. This is something that is a fact not an opinion. Whether it's voting, riding on a bus, wages, etc everyone should be given an equal chance.

 

    Through the 8 Values of Free Expression, we get a lot of basic, inalienable rights. These are rights we take for granted as a middle-class America. Although we have these values as a country doesn't mean everyone is in alignment with them. So next time you see a news article or something involving these values, sit back and reflect on whether they are truly being valued.