Freedom of Speech, Opinion, Press or Publications

These rights are also one of the most fundamental rights of modern life. They are the basic rights of a democracy. They are essential to the individual’s liberty, social, moral and political. The freedom of speech, expression of opinion by word of mouth or by printed word is the basis of democratic freedom. This freedom means that a citizen should have the right to think freely, and express his opinion freely without any interference by the government.

It means the absence of all powers of censorship in the hands of the government. We know that citizenship means the contribution of one’s instructive judgement to the common good. But the citizen can make this contribution only when he is free to express his opinion.46 Democracy is government guided and controlled by public opinion. But public opinion can come into being only when every citizen is free to express his or her opinion on general subjects and on all matters of public importance.

Like other rights, however, this freedom too is not absolute. Certain limitations are imposed on it. Law imposes restrictions on making such Statements that are libellous or slanderous, or on printing such matters as are obscene. Libel or slander means to make false and malicious Statements against an official or any other citizen, thus defaming him without any basis in truth. In war times, this right is still further restricted. At such times, censorship and even pre-censorship are imposed on all types of publications, such as newspapers, magazines, books, etc. and also on speeches.

 

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