Meaning of freedom of expression (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Freedom of expression:

Freedom of expression is the fundamental right that people have to freely say, express and spread what they think without being harassed. As such, it is a civil and political freedom, related to the sphere of public and social life, which characterizes democratic systems and is essential for the respect of other rights.

In democracy, freedom of expression is essential because it allows debate, discussion, and the exchange of ideas between political actors and other members of society around issues of public interest. That is why we cannot consider as democratic a society where there is no freedom of expression.

On the other hand, freedom of expression is a real and concrete manifestation in the public space of another freedom essential for the personal fulfillment of human beings: freedom of thought.

However, freedom of expression implies duties and responsibilities, fundamentally to protect the rights of third parties, the State, public order or the moral health of citizens. For example, those who propagate for war, advocate hatred, manifest racial or religious intolerance, or incite violence or carry out illegal actions incur excesses.

Freedom of expression and freedom of the press

The freedom of the press, one of the characteristics of societies with full freedom of expression is the right of media (newspapers, radio and television, both traditional and digital) to investigate, report and disseminate information without any limitations, such as prior censorship, harassment, or harassment.

However, for the American Convention on Human Rights (CADH), freedom of the press cannot be attacked by indirect means, such as the abusive control of the supply of paper (in the case of newspapers), radio frequencies, or used goods or equipment. in the dissemination of information, preventing the free dissemination of ideas and opinions, since freedom of expression would also be restricted.

The censorship

The freedom of expression tends to be threatened by an instrument used by anti - democratic regimes (open dictatorships or authoritarian regimes that maintain democracy formalities): censorship. When there is no freedom of expression or when it is threatened, the media suffer censorship, direct or indirect, through pressure, harassment, attacks or threats of closure.

One of the most serious ways of restricting freedom of expression in a country is prior censorship, which involves preventing people from expressing what they think; which is different from the later responsibility, which refers to the fact that a person can say what he thinks freely, but must face the criminal consequences (if any) of his words.

The censorship is not limited to the media, but is used in other fields of human expression, such as film, literature or music.

Freedom of expression according to the UN

According to the United Nations (UN), freedom of expression is a human right, and is found in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; This right includes that of not being disturbed because of their opinions, that of investigating and receiving information and opinions, and that of disseminating them, without limitation of borders, by any means of expression ”.

Freedom of expression on the internet

The freedom of expression on the Internet is associated, depending on the computer laws of each country, the freedom of information. On the Internet, freedom of expression is considered in the same way as in traditional media, although adapted to its particularities (such as the right to privacy of personal information). In this sense, it is subject to certain standards of international law (such as the protection of children and adolescents, intellectual property, etc.), and its misuse implies criminal and civil responsibilities. In recent times, the democratization of internet access is considered a right, which in addition to guaranteeing freedom of information, offers an effective platform for the defense of freedom of expression and thought.

Freedom of expression in Latin America

In Latin America, freedom of expression has been threatened at different times in its history: in countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela or Peru, it has been the product of dictatorial governments, while in Colombia or Mexico, It has been mainly armed groups, dedicated to drug trafficking or terrorism, that have attacked in various ways the right to freedom of expression.

Freedom of expression and Simón Bolívar

Simón Bolívar, in a speech on January 23, 1815, valued the importance of freedom of expression when he said that "the protection of an enlightened government, which knows that opinion is the source of the most important events, must be protected."