Expert: Michael Troy - 8/6/2009

Question
I have problems with this question "How far do you consider freedom of speech and freedom of the press as essentials of good living?" i)Can you give some clear examples, please? ii) what are suggestion & area of discussion on the question? iii) whats your intrepretation of the question? I'm doing my own revision on essays, as my exams are coming very soon. I will my own research some more too. Thank you very much.

Answer
It may be possible to live without free speech for a while, but the freedom of speech plays an essential role in helping to maintain a stable society.  In one accepts the idea that government is supposed to protect basic rights and promote the people's pursuit of happiness, then the government must be able to find out what people want.  If people are silenced by government force, the government is not able to react to justifiable criticism of government policies.  These may be rather minor polices such as allowing lines to get too long at some government office, or they can be major ones such as protesting human right violations.  

Without free speech and a government willing to accommodate justifiable demands that are made, public discontent can build up over time.  This can lead to general misery among the people.  It can also lead to hostility, which in turn can lead to rioting or even revolution.  

There is a very good essay on this topic by John Stuart Mill called "On Liberty".  Mill was a 19th Century British philosopher.  You can find this essay on the Internet.  You may want to give it a read.

I hope this helps!
- Mike