The High Cost of Free Speech

http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.lib.odu.edu/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=112&sid=3092916a-54e0-4c20-9ca4-b8efddf825bc@sessionmgr110&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=f5h&AN=6058560

-The article is a PDF file at the bottom of the page

Freedom of Speech Issue #1

How many times has a celebrity been frowned upon for making some sort of crazy, inappropriate statement? Too often are celebrities hated on up for letting words slip or actions fly. The media holds such a watchful eye on celebrities that the most minor mistakes are often caught on film or picture. We say these people are role models and should act respectively, but shouldn't we be role models as well? How often does a civilian's angered words reach national television? We place a spotlight on celebrities without realizing they are real people. We watch their "lives" on our televisions but we don't realize that they have lives of their own. How many average men and women would be willing to let cameras follow them wherever they go? The media covers celebrities as if they are just waiting for the drama. Every person deserves their privacy once in a while. My solution to this is the general public needs to stop worrying about what the famous people are doing and solve their own conflicts instead of calling out others.

freedom of speech-what it means to me

For my first post I want to outline what the phrase means to me. According to the 1st amendment, freedom of speech is supposed to protect much more than just language and conversation. To me, freedom of speech is the right to be myself, regardless of what friends, family or even the government may permit. But as to almost every rule, there can be exceptions. My personal belief is that freedom of speech should not extend so far as to abridge someone elses freedom of speech. We are all guaranteed the same rights in this world and each person should be able to do and choose as they please. What I've obeserved is that quite often people give up their freedom of speech and let others make decisions for them. When someone has decisions made for them, they forget how to speak freely and be themselves, and this is a tragic thing. Going further, there are people who get so caught up speaking for other people that they forget how to speak for themselves! Freedom of speech is required to create true individuals.