On the Limits of Free Speech - Essay Example

Within the framework of legality and decency, there should be no limits to free speech in the media. Technology has made radio, television, and the Internet more accessible to consumers as well as content providers. This proliferation has caused our society, culture, politics, and government to become enmeshed and inseparable. If we rid our media of politics, we will not have a forum to discuss our most important social and cultural issues. Free speech was granted as a way to air our differences and find common ground.

It protects us from tyranny and oppression and reduces the suppression of the minority viewpoint.The mayor of Port Arthur has a civic duty to allow opinions, which may differ from hers. Likewise, the station has a responsibility to air all sides of the issue. If a caller takes issue with the Mayor's performance, the mayor should be allowed some airtime for a response. In the case of KSAP, the mayor is essentially limiting political comments to those that she agrees with. In that format, it would soon become the myopic redundancy of the Rush Limbaugh Show.

Why waste airtime Just give the listeners a doctrine and forget about censoring, or even broadcasting, the material. That's the result of advertising big media and is what a publicly supported format is supposed to avoid. If KSAP is pushed to adopt the Rush format and broadcast an agenda, then shame on the politicians and local leaders of Port Arthur.In conclusion, our nation was founded on the principle of free speech and it is one of our most valuable assets. While there are obviously limits to what should be legal, to limit the speech to only what is agreeable is tyranny.

While we may not be able to control the actions of big media and advertisers, we can control our elected officials. As far as I know, the document still reads 'government by the people'. However, with this freedom comes responsibility. The government has the responsibility to endure criticism and complaints. The station has a responsibility to provide its listeners with all sides of the issues and give all the parties an opportunity to present their case to the public. That is the only limits we have on free speech.