Democratic Rights — Social Science STD 9 — Question

Article 19(1)(a) of Indian Constitution says that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. Freedom of Speech and expression means the right to express one’s own convictions and opinions freely by words of mouth, writing, printing, pictures or any other mode. It thus includes the expression of one’s idea through any communicable medium or visible representation, such as gesture, signs, and the like. This expression connotes also publication and thus the freedom of press is included in this category.Freedom of expression has four broad special purposes to serve:

1. It helps an individual to attain self-fulfillment.
2. It assists in the discovery of truth.
3. It strengthens the capacity of an individual in participating in decision-making.
4. It provides a mechanism by which it would be possible to establish a reasonable balance between stability and social change.
5. All members of society would be able to form their own beliefs and communicate them freely to others