Historically, free speech referred to media outlets exercising a constitutional right. Today, I could fill a 250 word blog just by listing various outlets of free speech, thanks to technology and the ease of access it provides to the individual. Now, one does not only think of a mass publication such as a magazine or a newspaper, or a syndicated television broadcast like a news production or documentary, as the primary utilization of the right to free speech. Instead, while individuals can read a publication or turn into the television, they tend to also include an extensive list of ways to exercise free speech besides these two—surf the web, send an e-mail, compose a blog, create a website, host a chat session or chat room, write an editorial piece to be published by a third party site, engage in a Facebook conversation, send a text message, talk on the phone, mail a letter, fax a document, etc.
All in all, technology has increased the venues and inherently increased the ease with which individuals can exercise this right. Additionally, this increase in free speech generates a multi-opinioned society. The days of “one thought” or one organization’s thoughts heavily influencing a vast population are over. They are replaced with conflicting views, which must each be supported by appropriate verification and validation.
Due to this fact, I believe that today’s society is better off in general. Thanks to the increase in the exercise of free speech and the breadth of which one’s views can reach the public, we are no longer subjected to the knowledge, views, and information “given” by those who have access to means of delivery. Instead, if you are willing to put for the effort to search, read, and explore these different venues, it is possible to educate yourself on almost any subject of interest, from multiple viewpoints and varying opinions.
1 comment:
I agree that technology has increased the venues as well as increased the ease with which individuals are able to exercise their right to free speech. It is also true that the increase in the amount of free speech has generated a "multi-opinioned society". Although it can be thought that the days of one organization heavily influencing our thoughts are over, I believe that this is not necessarily true. These large organizations have just begun to invest more money as to get their ideas out there ahead of all other smaller organizations. Although it is true that anyone is able to express their view these days, how many people out there actually read what those "smaller" people have to say? Since larger corporations have money, they invest this money as to get their views to the general public. Online news cites are an excellent example of these. Since they are able to advertise on television, more people are likely to visit their website and read their articles. If smaller companies do not have the money to get their website out there, how are people supposed to know that they even exist? If people do not even know that they exist, they will most likely not read what they have to say. I am in no way saying that our nation is that of one opinion, I am only saying that larger corporations still seem to hold the upper hand when it comes to free speech. As technology progresses, I believe that this upper hand will begin to lessen and a nation of "true" free speech will emerge.
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