The Eight Values of Free Expression, and Their Correspondence to Today

     Since the writing of the first amendment, undoubtedly, a lot has changed when thinking about todays age. Whether referring to foreign policies and the occupation of global countries, the 2024 election ideologies and debates, or the government mechanics that are in place to aid the American people. The first amendment is crucial to the American people and government; keeping the citizens at a sense of peace with being able to form together as a collective and spread ideas, criticism, opinions, art, and more. There are eight total values of free expression, all of which are crucial and implementable to the American government and people and should be conveyed at all times. However, I personally have a top value of free expression right now that I think is being perfectly implemented and used in todays current events. 

    As America is impatiently counting down the days until November 5th, the press, along with the American people have not been hesitant to run to social media to clip presidential rallies, interviews, and conferences. Using this newer social media change has given the American people the ability to subconsciously, or consciously become in favor to one official or the other. Along with providing information and fact checks on the individual speaking- allowing for America to keep the candidates as truthful as they may struggle to be. Using the checks on governmental power can be extremely beneficial to the American people, using their vertical checks and balances ability to take their power to the polls on, or before Election Day to make the difference they want to see. 

    Another value of free expression that runs hand in hand with governmental checks, is stable change: the ability to let alienated and angry citizens to vent about the government- essentially keeping it in check.

 In this century, the internet has allowed for a safe space for alienated or oppressed groups of Americans to publish their hardships, call the government out, and expose unethical programs in place within our country. With the increased viewership on these apps like TikTok and X, it allows the citizens (voters), to empathize, or turn inward on the government in a morality standpoint. With angry citizens speaking out, their voices are heard, and those who are listening have the power to stand together with this marginalized group- and create change together by calling upon government action; relating to checks on government. 

    While all eight of these values of free expression are all interlinked in human nature, the American government relies on the citizens to be able to express their ideas, opinions, art, creativity, scientific discoveries, and philosophies to be able to grow as a nation. Of course, there are those that are disagreed with, however, it is important to our ability as citizens to be able to scrutinize the government and share one's own ideas and improvisations about society and what we want it to look like, we are able to (very) slowly shape our nations future into a place where citizens are able to feel safe with creating.