Free Expression Values

  

The First Amendment speaking about freedom of speech.

 When first researching about the marketplace of ideas, I found that it was first introduced by John Milton in his 'Areopagitica.' To me, the marketplace of ideas is that due to the freedom of expression and speech all the ideas are out in the world. As citizens, we want every single idea out there, even if they are bad. The worst thing that could possibly happen is if the government selected which ideas could be put out, and which ideas could be hidden. This way we have a better chance of the truth arising. 

 An example of this, is that the European Union is currently trying to pass the law of 'chat control.' Denmark introduced this law, and it basically is where the regulators can screen your messages before they are sent and encrypted. To us, this would be such a bad thing because we wouldn't be able to see any of their ideas, meaning that the government would be trying to hide something. However, the European Union do not have the same constitution as us so the rules would be different. More examples would be using the ability to speak out during public debates, as well as using social media to speak out on certain things that you want to speak out on. 

 I believe that everyone has the right to freedom of speech. With this, the marketplace of ideas come into play. We all want all the truth to come to the surface, and when ideas are told, this has a better chance of doing so. When someone that I know states something that I necessary don't agree with, it makes my brain correspond and think harder about what I do believe in and I can argue in a respectful way. One thing that is turning in the United States is that people do not know how to respectfully argue with the opposing side. 

Marketplace of Ideas is really
important in today's time. 

Recently, as you may know the political assassination of Charlie Kirk happened on September 10, 2025 at Utah Valley University. Charlie was a huge advocate for first amendment, freedom of speech. He was the founder of Turning Point USA. Turning Point USA is an organization that travels to different colleges and university's all over the world. Charlie was speaking at Utah Valley when this sudden, tragic event happened. Charlie is known for speaking out about his opinion, however he does it in a respectful way. In my opinion he lets other people speak out about their opinions and concerns. Which in Charlie's eyes this is a huge thing. He advocates for the first amendment, so therefore he has his own right to the amendment. He was brutally killed for speaking his mind, and expressing his opinion. 

Charlie Kirk speaking during the
 Turning Point Action conference. 

In conclusion, I feel like the most important values of free expression is the 'marketplace of ideas' as well as participation of self government which falls under the first amendment. We have so many people who advocate for that. I feel like in the government in today's time that we can't speak our opinion and our mind, that brutal consequences come with it. This should not be something that we have to contemplate everyday. It honestly is sad that we have to worry about what we speak out about. Which could be why, referring back to the 'Marketplace of ideas,' why some people do not put their ideas out in the public.