What is important about freedom of speech?

Answer 1

Because people can express their opinion with little fear of authorities clamping down on them, or imprisoning them even when they are speaking the truth. Where freedom of speech does not exist, opinions are suppressed and so are many people's rights. If they try to speak out against their treatment they may be punished. In places that have freedom of speech, people can criticise authorities and governments, without that fear. Without freedom of speech people are often afraid to say what they really think. Others may share their opinion, but nobody talks about it, in case they are overhead by someone who will let authorities know.

Answer 2

Not having freedom of speech is a way for oppressive governments to control the general populace and stifle dissent. Basically, anybody who wants to remove freedom of speech is trying to stop anybody else complaining about what they do, thus protecting them from being investigated - the only reason for this is because they are doing something they shouldn't.

Answer 3

People like freedom of speech because it allows people to speak their mind, and not get in trouble for saying what they believe in. It is an important thing to have in a society, and something that makes the United States more of a free country.

Answer 4

There is an argument presented, that people should have restictions on freedom of speech. This is because some people can be racist and sexist to offend others which can fuel riots, terrorism, war and change in laws. You also have to be aware of the opposing argument. People are entitled to have their say such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferspn, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman who wrote the Decloration of Independence, which brought peace to America with the natives.

Overall people should have limits to their speech but not at the expense of their freedom.

Answer 5

In the United States, yes.

Under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, every American citizen has the right to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of press (as in newspapers and news shows).

This may not be so in other countries, though.

Answer 6

You are free to say anything you want. Even if it is derogatory to the Government