The Responsibility That Goes with our freedom of Speech

In journalism, we have to deal with censorship. It sure plays a big role when one writes or tries to publish something. But what is censorship? In my field of journalism, it is the suppression of ideas that are considered distasteful or offensive as categorized by the censoring agency. And there are many forms of censorship, which usually convey inappropriateness that needs to be repressed. So what happens to our freedom of speech when we want to write on something that we feel is important for others to know? Then there's also this concept in America that freedom of speech is being able to speak freely without being censored.

Free speech is a right guaranteed by our constitution along with my other human rights. In the United States, a lot of people call it “freedom of expression” or simply “free speech.” I pondered on whatever terminology we use to name our freedom to speak -- it is basically a state of being free to say or write what I deem is necessary to relay or share something of importance with others.

Another part of this freedom spells out r-e-s-p-o-n-s-i-b-i-l-i-t-y. I think, they go hand in hand. It has not been an absolute right in my country of birth, but I am now, by heart, an American who genuinely thinks, behaves, and acts like one. I know my rights as well as my responsibilities that go along with my freedom. I will always believe that I am free… free to do what’s right for myself, my family, and my fellowmen. This I will always fight for because this is what I truly believe.