The freedom of speech is regarded as one of the most essential conditions of liberty. It enjoys an important position in the hierarchy of liberty and considered the mother of all liberties. The soul of freedom of speech lies in free thinking and expression that is independent from any type of censorship.
Now, in modern times, most people in the educated class who hold liberal opinions advocate for the freedom to speech and expression, and consider it a vital fundamental right. The first principle of a free society is the untrammelled flow of words in an open debate. But, if we see the real implication of this freedom in the Indian context, it’s really not an easily enjoyable fundamental right. In a diverse nation such as India, people with different social, cultural and religious background often differ in their views.
But it’s not tolerable in India how a difference in views often multiplies and becomes a point of disaffection against a particular section of society who then tries to prove their point and censor the view of the others. Freedom of speech and expression gives the citizens of India the right to express one’s opinions and beliefs without any fear, through the mode of written or spoken words, pictures or any other communicable or visual representation such as gestures or signs.
Every individual is a medium of expression. An individual interacts through the media to reach other individuals and institutions. The right to freedom of speech to every individual, institution and organisation thus becomes imperative in the media world. The media world serves as the best communicator of information and instrument of expression.
Every person should respect this right and use it well for their justice instead of using it to harm other people’s reputation just for the sake of their ego.