Why are free speech and a free press important to a democracy?
About this video
The speaker explains that the founders saw free speech as essential to democracy. Voting alone is not enough: people need to talk about how to vote, which party is better, and whether to continue a war. Voters must hear a wide range of views and discuss what is a good or bad idea for the country.
You'll be able to
- explain why voting alone is not enough for a democracy.
- give examples of the kinds of discussion voters need to be free to have.
Key words
- Democracy
- A system of government where the people choose their leaders by voting.
- Free speech
- The right to express your views without the government punishing you.
- Free press
- The right of newspapers and other media to report and comment without government control.
Transcript
The founders I think recognize that in order to have a democracy, you have to have people not just vote. People have to be able to talk about how to vote. Talk about whether we should throw the bubs out. Talk about whether this party or that party is better for the country. During wartime, talk about whether we should continue with the war or stop the war, but the voters in a democracy have to be able to hear a wide range of views to figure out who to vote for.
They need to be able to talk about what's a good idea, what's a bad idea. If you're going to have a democracy, you have to have the ability for the voters to talk to each other about which direction the country should go.
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