The fifth value of free expression is check on governmental power. This value allows us to hold our government officials accountable for their actions and change any abuse that may happen in our government through our voting system. The press is also able to report about any misconduct allowing the people to stay informed about what is happening in our country. This is called the checks and balance system. It is so important that the press is able to talk about discrepancies and abuse of power that may happen in our government so that the people stay informed and can raise awareness to certain issues.
A great example of this is the Watergate Scandal. Also known as the Watergate Break-In, Watergate was complex buildings in Washington, D.C. While Nixon was in office and up for reelection, the building was broken into, robbed, and people were caught trying to wiretap the phones. However, it was later found out that this was apart of Nixons reelection campaign and the robbers were caught trying to tap the phones and steal documents. Nixons paid the robbers hush money and tried to cover up the crimes but reporters at the Washington Post Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein sought after the truth and eventually revealed Nixons involvement in the crime. This later let to Nixon resigning. This is a great example of the power of the press and free speech. Without the freedom of speech Nixon probably would have been able to sensor the news so no one would find out about Watergate.
Social media platforms today like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook are all ways that information can get out quickly to a mass group of people. While a lot of miss information can be spread, truthful information can also get around to the public much easier than how it use to be back then. News outlets can create platforms that allows the younger generation more accessible access to important news that they probably would not have gotten because many people today don't watch the news.
The seventh value of free expression is also crucial for our society to fix all of the injustices in our world. It is to promote innovation. When free speech is something that is sacred and valued by our society we feel empowered to use our voices to call attention to things that just aren't right. This has been shown recently in social media with all the movements that have been happening. Now you see more celebrities and social media influencers supporting causes and voicing their political opinions in order to call attention to things they feel need to be changed in society.
In this video actress and activist Blake Lively speaks about child sexual exploitation and how the Child Rescue Coalition is using new technology to track down people who download this sensitive material by flagging their IP addresses. She is an activist for "the victims without voices" she says in her speech and bring awareness to child trafficking so more people can help bring these children to safety. In 2019 the Coalition has helped get 9,000 offender arrest and saving over 2,000 kids from dangerous situations.
Video of Blake Lively Speaking up about Child Exploitation
Fight The New Drug Blake Lively Article
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