Eight Values of Free Expression

     Freedom of Speech is established in the First Amendment of the Constitution, and that isn't a coincidence. Our speech is how we represent ourselves, so our democracy would be impossible without the protections of the First Amendment. Even beyond politics, free speech is vital for sharing ideas, expressing ourselves, and seeing other perspectives. All of the core Eight Values of Free Expression have embedded themselves into the inner workings of both our country and our lives, though here I focus on...

5. Check on Governmental Power 

    This is the principle that we, the public, have the power to use our votes as a response to abuses of power in the government. Alongside a responsible press, we can hold politicians accountable to uphold their voters' best interests and ethical standards. The most prevalent historical example of this is Watergate, where President Nixon was involved in wiretapping and stealing documents. According to the Pew Research Center, around 83% of Americans heard about the scandal, and his approval ratings dropped by 20% in just three months and continued to fall. Thanks to widespread media coverage, voters pressured Nixon into resigning, and had he not resigned, Congress would have been pressured into impeaching him. These principles of accountability are how we leverage our free speech to keep the government honest.

Modern Effects and Implications

    I chose this principle because I see it being threatened all around us. The internet has created a see of misinformation, as journalists often value clicks and revenue over honesty. To find unbiased reports with the facts, the public has to filter through so much bias. This makes it difficult to unite the public on anything, as people can get very different understandings of the same issues. Additionally, news sources are being influenced by the government by either retracting funds, suing for defamation, or even just the pressure of these. While it is not clear whether these are attempts at manipulating public information or not, it's concerning to see the power the government has over the media.

    It doesn't help that our two-party system has created a climate where politicians and voters are heavily loyal to their party. Other countries have systems like ranked choice voting to prevent this issue, but citizens here often vote for the lesser of two evils, to make sure the other side loses. Our power to vote feels much less useful when neither option is appealing. Because of this, politicians are representing their constituents less and less. Another large factor in this is the amount of money being used to influence politics. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had a controversy in 2023 regarding undisclosed luxury trips paid for by a republican megadonor. Individual donors spent millions of dollars on both sides funding the 2024 election. This kind of money can have a huge say in both who is elected and what they for in office.

    I believe this to be a genuine danger to our democracy, one that too many people are overlooking. While historical example of the people's power comfort older generations that have seen it work, I have a bit less faith, especially as the government takes bolder and bolder actions. The Biden Administration had its mask mandates and vaccine requirements for federal workers. The Trump Administration now has armed ICE agents going into cities that don't want them there, causing violence and protest. There was also the recent bombing of Venezuela and the and the seizing of their president. Regardless of the legality and morality of these examples they are all controversial and extreme measures. I sincerely hope the power of the people's votes will be enough to dissuade the government anything more drastic.