Freedom of expression and censorship

Freedom of Expression and Censorship

Are YOU sure that your freedom of expression does not disturb other people?

And at the same time, why should YOU be silent when YOU have your own opinion and your own view?

Moreover, can society or government prohibit YOU to express yourself?

But, on the other hand, what will it be if everyone will present themselves without any limitations?

First of all, I would like to emphasise what freedom of expression is represented in reality, not in legal documents or dictionaries. In my opinion, freedom of expression refers to who you are, your ideas, emotions, life position in different spheres. Furthermore, it means how you get the goal to present yourself to this world and vice versa achieve needed information from all available resources. And the last component of the puzzle, which is named the freedom of expression, is proclaimed that no one can prohibit your action about self-expression. In addition it is significant that you are not alone - everyone can find like-minded people and entrench your views together.

On the other hand, do we forget about censorship? 

Everyone MUST remember that your rights finish at that time, when another person's rights start! 

So, censorship creates the limits of freedom of expression.

It should be began with the meaning of censorship and after explain the significance of it.  The web-site www.vocabulary.com presents two different meanings: 

1. Deleting parts of publications or correspondence or theatrical performances;
2. Counterintelligence achieved by banning or deleting any information of value to the enemy.

In my opinion, both of these explanations do not open the main idea of censorship. I would like to present my own one. Censorship is the system of governmental control and monitoring about the distribution of ALL information which is recognised as undesirable by authorities. I don't want to say that this definition is perfect and complete, but it shows the main idea of censorship.

Now, let's think about the significance of censorship. I would like to demonstrate two controversial opinions about it. Firstly, when diverse forms of censorship are implemented, authorities motivate various decisions to enhancement of state safety with necessity of the fight with distribution of malicious ideas. Not only governmental authorities encourage censorship, similarly international agencies, some political parties and public organisation have an influence to this issue. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel considered that the freedom of expression has been regulated by the law and police measures. Secondly, by contrast, Immanuel Kant had an opinion that the freedom of expression must be presented in society by each person's own view. What's more, censorship in reality does not solve social problems; it only conceals the existence of them.

In the next part of my article, I prefer to talk about censorship and freedom of expression in practice in Ukraine. I need to highlight that it is my own view and some people can disagree with me. 

If opening the point of avoiding the truth by government, I would like to explain in which way the news in Ukraine is submitted. Of course, I don't speak about all parts of life, but the most relevant is the situation in the East of state. So, at this moment, the international society can search the information about this point from different Internet sources, for instance, Ukrainian and Russian. At the same time, people, who live in war conflict area, have their own television, radio and press with facts. It means that totally, there are three approximately controversial points of view! 

So, how is it possible to find the truth? 

My point is that everyone who wants to understand this context should use YOUR freedom of expression, analyse facts, and pay attention to opposite things according to the same circumstances and try to find the truth. All of us have to express our mind and do not consider the provocations of governmental authorities from different sides. Both of them want to save the reality in secret and present to people those things which are more successful for the policies which are provided.

I don't want to explain who says the truth and who lies. I just invoke you not only use your freedom of expression, but also not forget about that side of censorship, which tries to hide the disadvantages of mass media. 

Another key thing to consider is the answer to my last question in the introduction part about the freedom of expression without limits. I totally agree that every means should be used for achieving your main target. However, everyone has to remember about the surrounding people, about their feelings and emotions, their life and health, their mentality and worldview. Similarly, do not forget about authority's perception of freedom of expression concept. As I mentioned before, usually, government and policy avoid dissimilar people's opinion to state's life and use all methods not to solve the problem, but just to close it. Even though, there are some radical movements, which are difficult to stop. Such movements do not pay attention to limitations, rules and policy influence. They know exactly their abilities and find all sorts of ways to achieve the result.

To give an illustration of what I mean, let's look at the case of Ukrainian FEMEN.  This organisation is extremely hard perceived by Ukrainians, because they couldn't imagine yet that their attitude is appropriate. FEMEN's example how to defend human rights is incomprehensible and even weird for the Ukrainian nation. Although, these women do not lose hope and make all efforts to express their position. Then again, nowadays, more and more women join the trend and fight for victory in these difficult times for the country. FEMEN doesn't see any obstacles and goes to the wishes. This is the video of Ukrainian FEMEN to prove my words. 

Finally, in conclusion, I need to say that freedom of expression should be existed in every state. In its turn, censorship is required to support society to find the truth and not to hide real facts. Censorship should be in the right hands.