Freedom of Expression - Free Research Paper Sample

Introduction

Freedom of expression, as is often touted in contemporary society, is democracy's lifeblood, the means through which even the most heated arguments and contentious viewpoints can find a place to pass. Free speech or the freedom of speaking out one's mind is mainly a debate of the condition of the possibility of it happening rather than the principle of having free speech (Baer 146). Free speech is meant to be the subject of the debate itself, rather than a principle which ought to be a known fact. While freedom of speech is a fundamental human right and especially in the campus where great minds are in plenty, there ought to be a principle to allow the principle to happen. However, it is not the case as freedom of speech, especially on the campus, is not a given. It is more of a matter of contention rather than principle where some colleges and universities have speech codes that limit how much and what students can say. Colleges and universities should, however, not have speech codes that limit free speech or expression as it allows people to mingle with each other, empowers students to talk about matters that affect their lives and leads to a better social experience.

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Hotpots

The universities and colleges are hotpots of liberals, conservatives, atheists, Christians, and people of different affiliations, and thus, they should have the freedom of expression to allow them to mingle and conventionally exchange ideas (Zacarese 2). By the fact that there are numerous individuals in the universities, then there is a high chance of people having diverse views on a myriad of topics that require freedom of expression for the discourse to be healthy. Universities and colleges, as institutions of higher learning, are places where people ought to exchange knowledge and information on a myriad of issues. Such issues require freedom of expression, which does not hinder or tie down any one person on what they should speak about. It is for a reason, as mentioned above, then that having speech codes is not advisable for universities and colleges. The extensive array of people having diverse views on matters of human life, religion, and an array of other topics requires a system of free speech which do not bear down on any one person. Thus, universities and colleges need to be environments where individuals can discuss anything that piques their interest without having a red tape over what they have to say. Speech codes should, therefore, be a matter of the past in the new institutions of higher learning.

Freedom of Expression

Freedom of expression in universities and colleges empowers students to discuss issues that touch their lives. A lack of speech codes ensures that students can comfortably speak about issues that they deem essential without fear of recourse (Sutton 2). For instance, if the college and university students feel that their fundamental rights and freedoms are not upheld, then they have other means of getting the relevant authorities to explore the various courses of action to safeguard their rights. Having a free reign on what one can talk about brings about the cohesiveness of purpose, which is essential in contemporary society. The various freedoms and liberties that are integral to the human experience stem from elite people in society agitating for them to be at the forefront. When universities and colleges put a cap on free speech, students and other pertinent individuals will not speak about the fundamental rights and liberties experienced all over the world. In this way, these freedoms will be a thing of the past as people will not know what they are missing when they do not mingle with each other and speak about them. Hence, having speech codes is detrimental to the human experience as individuals will not share their experiences from diverse cultures and parts of the world where some freedoms and liberties may be different in various places.

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech often leads to a social shift in the way society experiences various issues, and thus, it is a significant factor for progress. The social culture of the university and colleges often mirrors what is happening in the society as campus students are a conglomerate of diverse cultures and social backgrounds living and working in the same space (Baer 160). When students can speak freely with each other, they can share their ideals and ideas on how they experience their lives in their societies. For instance, if a student from a Christian background befriends another from a Muslim background, they can speak about how they live their lives, and in this way, enhance their views and respect for the diversity in the society. Doing so will ensure that society is cohesive and welcoming of the various peoples that they have to live and work within their contemporary lives. Hence, having the freedom of speech broadens the mindsets of individuals to the point that they can appreciate their diversity. As captured in the preceding sentences, it sets the precedence for good interaction among individuals in society. It is for a reason, as mentioned above, then that having speech codes is detrimental to the society as individuals will have a closed mindset about other people in the same society whom they may loathe. The hatred may stem from a lack of knowledge about the diversity in the society, which would be occasioned by speech codes in the colleges and universities.

While some colleges and universities have speech codes, there is a debate as to whether there should be exceptions for certain types of speech. In a liberal college or university where there is freedom of speech or expression, issues of exceptions will not arise (What Speech Should Not 112). The reason for the concept is that the lack of speech codes makes freedom of speech all the more appealing and students and other intellectuals alike can discuss on any matter that they fancy. Whenever students are engaging in a discourse about a matter of significance, they can do so in an open environment where the arguments with the strongest points and facts get to win at the end of the discourse. Thus, the lack of speech codes will exclude the need for exceptions for certain types of speech.

Conclusion

Colleges and universities should not have speech codes that limit free speech or expression or have exceptions for certain types of speeches for a myriad of reasons. As captured in the preceding paragraphs, universities and colleges are hotpots of a myriad of individuals and professionals in various fields who are bound to engage in discourse about diverse topics. Having the freedom of speech or expression will aid in ensuring that the individuals can talk about any topic that interests them without fear of repercussions. Secondly, having the freedom of speech of expression empowers students and society at large to talk about issues that empower them. When students in colleges come together to discuss issues that touch on them, the society receives a boost as the matters will touch on the social life and other pertinent issues that are pertinent to the human experience. Thirdly, freedom of speech leads to a social shift in society as students touch on matters that are integral to their lives and hence, lead to an overall better human experience. Therefore, having speech codes in colleges and universities should not be present as they are detrimental to the human experience in various facets of human life.

Works Cited

Baer, Ulrich. "Speech on Campus." What Snowflakes Get Right, 2019, pp. 145-168.

Sutton, Halley. "Ensure the marketplace of ideas stays open: Free speech on campus." Campus Security Report, vol. 15, no. 2, 2018, pp. 1-8.

"What Speech Should Not Be Protected?" Freedom of Expression in the 21st Century Freedom of expression in the 21st century, pp. 111-142.

Zacarese, Lawrence M. "Free speech is only ‘free’ if it's truly free for all." Campus Legal Advisor, vol. 17, no. 12, 2017, pp. 1-5.