The freedom of speech is an effective tool for the discovery of truth and the exposure of falsehood. The freedom of speech is also a central importance to a democratic government. The right to cast a vote means nothing if the vote is not informed. Citizens can only make a confident decision when faced with two competing policies if they are certain that they have heard the strongest possible arguments for both positions. Freedom of …showed first 75 words of 744 total…

…showed last 75 words of 744 total…context, purpose, accuracy, and so on. That things may be said, is a matter of right. No right is more fundamental than freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech you can't communicate your ideas and feelings, discredit a social injustice, pursue an artistic vision, investigate scientific truth, practice a religion, or criticize government. If freedom of speech is destroyed, self-development is crippled, social progress grinds to a halt, and official lies become the only "truths".