The 8 Values of Free Expression are fundamental ideas that help to guide the nation in civil manner, creating the foundation for a healthy democracy. These 8 values emphasize the importance of checking power, self-government, and free speech. Without these core ideals and values, our right to free speech would be harmed, and what we say, think, post, and share would be censored and blocked. These 8 values are used and relevant in daily life, however, we do not realize how important they are, until we consider what happens when they are taken away.
One of the 8 values is the Marketplace of Ideas, which was first proposed by John Milton. This value emphasizes the belief that it is beneficial for society to be allowed to share any belief, whether it is controversial or common. Through this practice of free expression, ideas can be agreed with, challenged, or contradicted by anyone. In todays modern digital age, the use of social media for sharing opinions and beliefs is pervasive. Since the world has moved towards utilizing social media outlets as a way to share news and beliefs, Twitter and TikTok are two current examples that come to mind when considering the current online practices on the Marketplace of Ideas. These 2 social media platforms allow for people from all around the world to post and share opinions, leaving them up to scrutiny from anyone. As a Social Media and Digital Communication major, this practice deeply resonates with me as I see current, daily examples of this concept online.
I came across an intriguing news article from CNN, which shares that the Supreme Court and White House are pressing social media companies to remove disinformation.
Following trends in the past, the internet and online media platforms tend to gain attention around elections, as well as national health crises, as there are so many people which so many opinions who flood the internet with their hardcore bias beliefs. However, allowing these posts to stay, no matter how many people disagree with them, is the practice of the Marketplace of Ideas. When analyzing this topic with the Marketplace of Ideas in mind, this appears to be very concerning, and creates a bias internet space. Over the last 10 years, it has been amazing to watch the internet grow. Every day, there are thousands of new posts, a majority of which are controversial or unpopular. However, it is these risqué posts that keep diversity and conversation continual online, allowing people to continuously practice their free speech and the Marketplace of Ideas. Working closely with the Marketplace of Ideas is.a similar Value of Free Expression, "Promote Tolerance". Promote Tolerance is an idea that was first proposed by Lee Bollinger, where it states that hate speech can benefit society, as it teaches people to become more tolerant. When coming across bias, hate speech, or even inaccurate information in a post, society can benefit in other area of life, because a generally tolerant society is a stabler society.
The '"Marketplace of Ideas" works alongside "Promote Tolerance", which I view to be the 2 most important and relevant values from the 8 Values of Free Expression. Both of these ideas are ever evolving with the rise of social media, and are put to use and challenge each day. Together, these 2 values help to keep the internet diverse and open for opinions and scrutiny in a peaceful manner, from all.
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