Is freedom of expression a human right?

Yes, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and this is protected and specifically recognized in Oregon and in numerous international laws. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international human rights document written in 1948, guarantees the right of everyone to express their opinion and to have access to opinion and information from others. People should be able to express their opinions both publicly and privately without fear of censorship or punishment for doing so. Oregon state law, like federal law, recognizes freedom of expression as a First Amendment right. This means that both state and federal governments cannot restrict the speech of citizens in most circumstances. Oregon also has a strong public records act, which gives citizens the right to access public information and documents. This encourages citizens to be able to express their opinions freely and openly. At the same time, there are limits to freedom of expression. The law holds that no one has the right to incite violence or hatred. Also, no one has the right to defame another person or infringe upon their copyright or privacy. Overall, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and Oregon law recognizes this right and takes steps to ensure that citizens are not subject to censorship or punishment for expressing their opinions.

Related FAQs

What is the right to education?
What is the right to health?
What is the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?
What is the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture?
What is the International Criminal Court?
What is the International Court of Justice?
What is the right to work?
What is the mechanism for monitoring and reporting on human rights compliance?
What is the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights?
What is the right to health?

Is freedom of expression a human right?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts