Eight Values of Free Expression

Blog Post #3     

Speech Theories: Eight Values of Free Expression 

    As an aspiring Sports Reporter, the right to be able to freely express my thoughts is something that I feel is deeply important. "The Market Place of Ideas" and "Individual Self-Fulfillment" value-free grappling and enable individuals to freely express themselves.  MediaLawLit Freedom of expression is a core value to ensure people are able to exchange ideas in a civil manner. Individuals are able to share information and values that are important to them. I personally think this is fundamental in life. 

Since people have the opportunity to speak freely and say what is on their minds, the expression of "Promoting Tolerance" is an important expression in our world today to ensure  Promoting tolerance allows individuals to speak freely and use hate speech, but it also allows society to enact a sense of punishment for hate speech. Tolerance is about accepting those that do not have the same values and beliefs as you.  Tolerance means treating everyone with respect even if their preferences or opinions do not agree with yours. If we want to have a peaceful society, implementing tolerance is key.  Promoting Tolerance

"Individual Self-Fulfillment" aka Self-Actualization, is a theory that free speech may be justified and intertwined with human autonomy and dignity. As human beings, self-actualization allows us to heighten our personal growth and development. The characteristics of self-actualized people are being realistic, problem-centered, being autonomous, possessing acceptance, and having a spontaneous personality. these characteristics are key for free speech and creating one's own identity. Self-actualization is at the top of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, meaning that this is an important aspect of human behavior. 

The Values of Free Expression are implied worldwide with day-to-day activities but as a Sports Media major, I wanted to research how these values are implemented in sports. One big story that focuses on freedom of speech and protection is Colin Kaepernick's kneeling during the National Anthem. This opened doors for freedom of expression for athletes. The American sporting Industry has various rules and policies for their athletes and fans relating to the First Amendment Rights. There is no policy among most major sports leagues that tell players what they can and cannot do during the National Anthem. After the Kapernick scandal came out, the NFL came out with a policy that players and coaches had to stand during the National Anthem. While the NBA and WNBA followed this policy, the MLB and NCAA have no official policies pertaining to this. Most leagues allowed their players to engage in "peaceful protests". One article stated "If the First Amendment primarily protects citizens against any wrongful infringement on their speech/expression by the government, should it also protect professional players that work for nongovernmental sports organizations? The debate will likely continue for many years to come." First Amendment Voice

Another interesting example of the First Amendment being put to use in sports is a term called "fan heckling".  In 2018, New York Giants fans were arrested for "heckling". This led the fans to sue because they claimed their First Amendment rights were being violated because they were getting in trouble for not being able to freely speak. Fan heckling usually results in penalties for the teams that are playing. For example, during the 2018 World Cup, FIFA fined Mexico because Mexico's fans yelled homophobic slurs at team Germany's goalie. The question that arose after matters like this one occurred is should the fans be penalized for poor behavior and conduct, or is this behavior disrespectful enough altogether that should not be protected by the First Amendment rights? 

This takes me back to C. Edwin Bakers's "Individual Self-Fulfillment". The Supreme court stated ‘‘The First Amendment serves not only the needs of the polity but the needs of the human spirit–a spirit that demands self-expression.’’ The self-fulfillment rationale justifies the protection of freedom of speech for reasons that are not connected directly to the collective search for truth or the processes of self-government, or for any other conceptualization of the common good." Freedom of speech is a right for an individual to speak their mind. Self-Fulfillment Theory of Free Speech

Take the time out to consider what it would be like without freedom. Freedom to say what is on our minds is often overlooked in the United States. This is an incredibly important right that helps us in a variety of situations. Most countries are not able to speak their minds in the way we are. We should deeply appreciate freedom of speech and not be hateful or violent to express our point of view.