3. Eight Values of Free Expression

The idea of individual self-fulfillment truly resonates with me, as it taps into what it means to be human. Being able to follow our interests and dreams is what makes life fun. When we protect free speech, people are able to express themselves, explore their beliefs and values, and overall be individuals. Without the ability to explore and create to our liking, our lives become monotonous. Individuality is so important to culture. Countries with limited freedoms like North Korea come off as sterile, and there is something almost unatural about the lack of personality. We constantly see unhappy people fleeing countries like North Korea in hopes of exploring their individual interests with no restraint. 

The most important act to me is the watchdog rule. The watchdog rule allows citizens to uncover the abuses of their government and hold it accountable. Citizens need to be aware of corruption and injustice within their government in order to make informed decisions. The United States prides itself for giving the people power, but we are powerless if we are unaware. Watergate exposed misconduct in the United States government, leading to public outrage and Richard Nixon's resignation. If the press could not investigate or report on these crimes, the American public would have been in the dark and powerless. Free speech is the core of democracy; without free speech, we risk falling into tyranny and oppression.

The most personal of the eight values to me is promoting innovation. Societies where citizens can express themselves freely are full of creativity. Free expression leads to intellectual, creative, and dynamic societies, everything that makes life fun. Free speech allows people to challenge conventional thoughts without fear of censorship, leading to progress. Throughout history, we have seen movements like the Second Great Awakening bring on new ideas and, with that, positive change. Women's rights, anti slavery, and public schools were all movements at the time, made possible by free speech. Industrialization also came to America through free expression. The ability to add on to technology and expirement with new technology has allowed us to make life easier and more interesting.

Lastly, the importance of promoting tolerance is present today and has been amplified in recent years. Fostering an environment where controversial or even difficult topics can be aired is essential for building tolerance. Such exposure enables us to engage with complex ideas, confront harmful viewpoints, and create inclusive dialogue within our communities. This openness is crucial for fostering understanding and respect among diverse groups. In recent years, the divide within the US has been strong, and now, more than ever, we need to practice tolerance. 

In the end, embracing free expression enriches our individual lives and strengthens our societies', empowering us all to thrive. We must celebrate and protect this invaluable right, a cornerstone of human dignity, innovation, and diversity.

 

 

1. My Top 5 Sources of News and Information

1. Local Community Facebook pages

In my hometown of Melrose, MA, we have an uncensored Facebook page for city residents. Hearing the opinions of local people is essential to me; it allows me to be more immersed in the community and understand the issues going on right outside of my home. Group members frequently give food recommendations, neighborly advice, and their opinions on local government. It also allows people in my city to ask for assistance from their community; for example, my friend had her cat, Chai, returned to her through the Facebook page. I recommend joining your town's local Facebook group for anyone who wants to see local news and hear the opinions of their community. 

 

2. The Associated Press (AP)

The Associated Press has me covered for accurate news related to elections. The AP follows a stern set of values and principles to keep their reporting unbiased, neutral, and even-handed. Because the AP has been serving for more than 100 years, it has built the prestige of being a valid source of information. Most stories are covered here, which may not be found in US-based news media. It's great for international news and accurate election coverage. For this, there is no better outlet than the Associated Press.

 

3. ESPN

I recommend ESPN to anyone seeking convenience in receiving sports news. I follow a  few sports teams and players, and it's easy to track games through ESPN. If I cannot watch any game, even then, my phone keeps me updated about every gameplay. ESPN also provides detailed statistics regarding players and games. I recommend ESPN to sports lovers seeking reliable news.
 

4. New York Times

Aside from their fun mini-games, the New York Times has always been my primary news source. The New York Times covers many stories, from music to politics, and there is always something interesting to read. Like ESPN, the New York Times also has an app that notifies you when major stories drop, allowing users to keep up with real-time news with little effort. The app also gives you access to recipes and the New York Times podcast The Daily, which provides an in-depth look at recent stories. I recommend the New York Times to anyone who wants timely, accurate news with little effort and good games, recipes, and podcasts. 

 

5. The Boston Globe

When I am not looking for global and national news from the New York Times, I am looking at local news from the Boston Globe. The Boston Globe writes on stories within New England; this gives me a good sense of what is happening locally and within neighboring states. The Boston Globe offers sports news on the teams I watch: the Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, and Red Sox, which is helpful for many Boston sports fans. The Boston Globe also focuses on local politics and legislature in Massachusetts. Lastly, the Boston Globe is a trustworthy source; the outlet has gained many Pulitzer prizes for its journalism and has been around since the late 1800s.