Why is freedom of expression important?
Ostensibly the notion that a government might censor material that is, for example, explicitly racist and likely to cause offense does not seem too troublesome. However, the problem comes in drawing the line for what is offensive and what is not, and who draws it.
Throughout political, scientific, and philosophical history it has been the ability to freely express ideas that has led to progress. The ability to have a voice for our own ideas as well as access the ideas of others is one which provides society with the ability to operate freely and move forward. The fear that ‘offensive’ ideas will necessarily spread if given a voice is a conclusion which does not follow from its premise. Allowing for free expression also allows for free debate. Thus, when an idea emerges that is deemed morally repugnant it should not be censored but, instead, allowed a voice. We then rationally debate these ideas and those that have no rational foundation are quickly dismissed and we all then understand why that view should not be held.
Should we then suggest that governments must work towards a society of complete freedom of expression? While this might be philosophically desirable it does not deal with issues of social order and safety which arise from the ability to freely express ourselves. Often there are instances in which one person’s right to free expression leads to another person’s safety being jeopardised. We therefore need government to sometimes decide in what few instances freedom of expression must be curtailed, even if only temporarily, in order to save lives and keep us safe.