"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
Article XIX
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
It is a well know fact that freedom of opinion and expression is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. It is also a well know fact that all the greatest man-made calamities that have plagued the world for centuries involved and required full control over expressions, opinions and at time conscience: the slave trade and slavery itself, the inquisition, the Holocaust, the genocide in Cambodia or Rwanda, the Stalin regime and the gulag, among many others.
Because of this, international and national bodies and courts worldwide have insisted and demonstrated that the right to freedom of expression is central to the international human rights regime, human dignity and as the base of every democratic regime and society all over the world. In fact, freedom of expression it's of the greatest importance for the formation of public opinion, to enable politicians to speak freely to each other and discuss the real problems of a country/organization, to help solving them and to give information to the people so that they can form an opinion and fight for their rights and opinions. It is also very important for the development of political parties, trade unions, scientific and cultural societies and, in general, those who wish to influence the public. The mass media corporations, such as TV, radio and press, play a very important role in this situation. They work as a link between this organizations and the people, providing all the information required to form a solid opinion. The ability of the media to function independently is vital to freedom of expression but also to the ability of a society to function and survive. However, freedom of expression it's not an absolute right. Both international law and most national constitutions recognize that freedom of expression may be restricted. Article 19(3) of the ICCPR lays down the conditions that any restriction on freedom of expression must meet: "respect of the rights or reputations of others" and "the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals" .
Freedom of expression is essential to democracy and the democratic process. It forms a central pillar of the democratic structure through which all rights are promoted and protected, and the exercise of full citizenship is guaranteed. A robust democratic structure in turn, helps to create the required stability to develop in a peaceful and prosperous manner. Through freedom of expression, politics can unfold in a constructive manner.
The young citizens of Europe are in favor of a communicative world, without fear of any repression and censorship, and in favor of the free exchange of ideas, regardless of frontiers.
