Theoretical Justifications of the Right to Free Speech in the Digital Era

Abstract

Speech is information and communication expressing thoughts, ideas or emotions such as science, poetry, politics, promises, answers, complaints, etc. It is fundamental for individual and social levels to interact. The right to free speech with various theoretical justifications, such as self-fulfillment, personal autonomy, the marketplace for ideas, the search for truth, democracy, tolerance, and pluralism, is the integral existence of individuals and society. These justifications reflect the interrelation between the right to freedom of speech and other rights. Free speech causes individual and social good by achieving these justifications, yet it may result in harmful consequences or conflict with other rights. The digital era advances a new medium to promote the right to free speech within cyberspace. This era shapes individuals and social interrelation for specific ideas and actions in a short time. This represents communication in a new form through the internet, information, and communication technologies rather than print and broadcasting. The international system has been established based on expanding and diffusing cyberspace. Therefore, the coherence of these justifications is analysed within the recent digital transformation process, creating positive and negative impacts on freedom of speech.