The Freedom of Belief, Opinion, and Expression, including Freedom of the Press and other Media of Communication, is undeniably the most significant freedom protected by the Charter. This freedom is the basis for the rest of the freedoms; without this freedom, the rest become less applicable and specific. This general freedom protects all types of self-expression and beliefs.
Why is this the most important freedom?
- The first reason this freedom is the most important is because of our democratic society. With Canada’s representative democracy, we, as citizens, need to be able to express our thoughts on government policies, representatives, laws, and other initiatives in order for them to work. Democracy provides an opportunity to express ourselves, and this freedom unlocks it. With this freedom, we are able to voice our opinions and beliefs without fear. In turn, allowing us to share ideas, create change, engage in debate, and have political preferences. This freedom also encourages and empowers Canadians to participate in our government. This includes the press. Due to this freedom, the press is also able to share, educate, and influence citizens on their platform’s political stance. This allows us as citizens to gain information from news channels and make decisions according to it.
- The second reason this freedom is the most significant is that it promotes cultural diversity and tolerance within our society. Even though it is an ethical obligation to accept people of different upbringings, backgrounds, and their perspectives, often this isn’t the case. This freedom legally allows no restriction from fellow citizens and governments for an individual’s beliefs. This promotes a society and climate where diversity is accepted and celebrated instead of being suppressed. Also, this allows us to unlock the value of individual perspectives and allow all perspectives to raise awareness for different opinions. This freedom as well helps individuals express cultural beliefs and practices that help preserve individual and collective identities. Using this freedom, it creates tolerance and empathy for people of different backgrounds while combating stereotypes and all types of prejudice against individual opinions, beliefs, and expression.
- The last reason this freedom is the most important is that it allows social progress. While accepting feedback on our societal customs and systems, we as a society are able to progress and change ourselves when needed. Our charter allows us to criticize our society and government, and accommodate those around us. With this freedom, we are given free power to be whoever we please and spew the words we want (without passing the fine line into hate speech). We are able to express opinions about current issues without fear of persecution, and so is our press. Our press is also able to report and expose injustices and corruption about our own and foreign governments. All these benefits that we are guaranteed through the Canadian Charter allow us as a country to progress into a future that addresses and accommodates our changing needs.
The Freedom of Belief, Opinion, and Expression, including Freedom of the Press and other Media of Communication stands as the most significant freedom provided to us from the Canadian Charter. It serves as the foundation of democracy by allowing individuals to challenge our system and encourages the exchange of governing ideas. Furthermore, this freedom also promotes cultural diversity by preserving individuals while allowing everyone to express their beliefs without persecution. Overall, this creates more acceptance and value for individuality and celebrates our identities in a multicultural society. Lastly, it promotes change; Canada could never have reached where it is today without the advocacy from its citizens. This freedom reinforces the idea of progressing our country to a place where we all are accepted. As the most significant freedom, the Freedom of Belief, Opinion, and Expression leads our society to greater understanding, tolerance, and progress.