Eight Values of Free Expression

Out of the Eight Values of Free Expression, the one I found most interesting was Individual Self-Fulfillment and how it connects to today's world. Individual Self-Fulfillment means that “free speech allows people to express themselves, form their own identity, and maybe even find others like them.” I think this idea really fits how teenagers and young adults, like me, use social media especially TikTok. Over the past five years, TikTok has become one of the most popular apps. What started as a place for lip-syncing and dancing has turned into a space where people openly share their achievements, struggles, and personal thoughts. 

TikTok Thumbnail

TikTok lets people express themselves in ways beyond just talking. Some influencers get attention just because of their unique style or look. They get thousands of likes, not only for their appearance but because people admire their confidence in being themselves. When others see someone with the same style or interests, they feel seen and understood. Which in this generation is what everyone wants, to feel seen and understood. This makes it easier for people who might struggle to express themselves in real life to do so online. That’s why I think Individual Self-Fulfillment is especially important for this generation, and one of the most relevant of the Eight Values of Free Expression. Social media in general gives young people so many ways to express themselves, and while TikTok is the most popular, apps like Instagram and Snapchat are also important.

However, I think TikTok can become too personal or “overly expressive.” While I agree that free speech is important, I’ve noticed that some influencers take things too far by sharing very personal content. It doesn’t bother me, but I think younger users might be exposed to stuff they shouldn’t see. Talking about things like sexual situations or relationship problems should stay private. Not everything needs to be shared with the whole internet which relates to the idea of privacy. 

I think Individual Self-Fulfillment really connects with TikTok and social media in general. It’s a space where free speech allows people to share different opinions and personal stories. Even though some content can be too personal, TikTok still helps people learn new things and see life from different perspectives. 

Along with Individual Self-Fulfillment, other values I see in todays world are promoting tolerance, and protecting dissent. These values are all connected by the idea of freedom of speech. These values tie together because they all support people’s right to speak their minds. Individual self-fulfillment is about people expressing themselves and being true to their beliefs, which can lead to actions like protests or posts on social media. Promoting tolerance is about respecting and understanding different viewpoints, even if they disagree with your own. Finally, protecting dissent ensures that those differing opinions are heard without fear or punishment.

A clear example of this was after the Roe v. Wade ruling. Many people shared their anger and frustration on Instagram and TikTok. This kind of expression encouraged others to speak up as well, creating a ripple effect. It lead to protests which is a good thing because it shows people standing up for their rights. For instance, CNN reported large protests outside the White House in response to the ruling.

Roe v. Wade Protesters

A similar scenario happened with the recent TikTok ban. Many people protested and created lots of expression. Banning the app would remove one of the major platforms where people express their opinions, organize protests, and spread information about social issues. During movements like the Roe v. Wade, platforms like TikTok are essential for building momentum and creating visibility, especially when traditional media might not cover these issues in the same way. Banning TikTok could limit a tool that plays a big role in promoting both individual self-fulfillment and protecting dissent. So the TikTok ban might be seen as not just a way to control personal data or political influence, but also a way to limit how people use the platform to protest or challenge the status quo. This shows how social media can help spread ideas, get people involved, and bring attention to important issues. Finally, showing how these values work together to support free expression and social change.

The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. Its primary function is to interpret the law and ensure that laws and actions are following the country's constitution. It consists of nine Justices who are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate. The Supreme Court hears cases that usually involve significant legal issues with emphasis on those related to constitutional interpretation. The Supreme Court often sets precedent with its rulings that lower courts must follow called stare decisis.

Current Supreme Court Justices

One thing I learned about the Supreme Court that I did not know before is that after the President nominates someone for the Court, there’s a long process before they actually pick a new Justice. First, the nominee has to fill out a detailed questionnaire, then it goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee for hearings. I didn’t realize the process took so long. The committee does not vote on the nominee directly, but on whether to send the nomination to the full Senate. After that, the full Senate holds hearings, and a majority vote is needed to decide if the nominee is approved. Also, I didn’t know how few cases the Supreme Court actually hears. Even though the Court gets around 7,000 cases a year, they only hear about 100-150. 

One of the key takeaways about the Supreme Court is that when there’s an open seat due to death or retirement, the President can nominate a replacement. However, just because the President nominates someone doesn’t mean they will actually get the position. The process of deciding who joins the Supreme Court is much more detailed than most people realize. I think it’s important to remember this, especially since many people believe the President holds all the power in this decision.

Supreme Court Building

The most surprising thing I learned about the Supreme Court is that Justices serve for life, unless they retire or pass away. While I knew they had long terms, I didn’t realize it was for their entire lifetime. It’s kind of crazy to me because I can’t imagine doing something for the rest of my life, even if I enjoyed it. The average age to retire is 65 and there are Justices way past that! Personally, I’d want to retire at some point, but some justices stay on the Court until they die, which is a crazy idea to think about.

Sandra Day O'Connor

The video didn’t really change my overall view of the Supreme Court, since I already knew it held a lot of power, especially with Judicial Review. However, one thing I learned that made me think differently is that we didn’t have a female Supreme Court Justice until the public pushed for it. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed Sandra Day O’Connor as a new Justice, partly due to the rise of abortion-related cases. Reagan thought that by appointing a conservative woman, he could maintain his stance on abortion while also addressing the public’s demand for a female voice on the Court. However, this move backfired when O’Connor joined four other Justices in the 1992 case Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey to uphold the Roe v. Wade decision.

Top 5 Sources of News and Information

Growing up my mom was always news obsessed as she has worked in media and journalism her whole life. I always looked forward to watching my mom on TV and hearing her stories. As any young child in my formative years, my news and information came from my parents. Whatever they said or told me, I believed. But now as a young adult with my own opinions and views, I have struggled to find unbiased, accurate news sources online. With the rise of social media, propaganda and sharing inaccurate information is ramped. I try to find a balance between using social media as a news outlet and credible sources or channels to stay up to date with current events important to me. Although, I do have to remind myself as convenient as apps like TikTok or Instagram might be, it's not the best reliable news source. 

1. Instagram

Instagram is a social media app that allows people as well as companies to share photos and videos. Most news companies have an Instagram account where they post about major headlines or news topics they might discuss on TV. News sources like Fox News, NBC News, CNN, and many others all have Instagram pages. This allows them to share important information quickly and concisely with graphics, short paragraphs, and videos. This appeals to people such as the younger generation who don't particularly watch the news on TV to still be up to date with the worlds happenings on a familiar platform. It is convenient because as most teenagers, we use Instagram frequently throughout our day. This makes it easier for us to access news without particularly searching it out. 

2. TikTok

Similarly to Instagram, TikTok is a useful platform consisting of short videos. Especially with the younger generation, our attention spans have shrunk and TikTok is a platform that is appealing in that sense. I find myself gaining most of my information from TikTok. It covers a large span of topics from sports to politics. It also allows users to publicly share any opinions or thoughts they have to reach a broad audience. TikTok is a platform where it is much easier to go "viral" on than Instagram. Therefore, more users post on it and share their opinions. This can be perceived as negative because it allows more room for biased news and propaganda. 

3. Fox News

Fox News is multinational news source as well as political commentary website based in New York City. Growing up it was commonly playing in the living room on the TV so there is a sense of trust and familiarity to it. It also aligns with the political views I have been grown up with. What I enjoy most about Fox News is the how they talk about controversial topics or have different viewpoints about political ongoings than other news outlets. While I don't always 100% agree with their views, it is interesting and sometimes entertaining, to watch and learn about differing opinions. 

4. News App

The News App on my iPhone is an easy, accessible way to gain knowledge about news. It compiles all the main news sources, sports, weather, and even podcasts into one app. This is convenient as having a "one-stop-shop" for anything important. It is an application on my iPhone so it can send me notifications about important news updates in real time which is an added bonus. Since it compiles so many different news sources, it shows all sides and opinions of potiental media bias which is helpful. Apple News is also something that my parents use occasionally to find information on, so I like to be informed on what they are reading so we can talk about it together. 

5. Family & Friends 

One of the most frequent ways I gain knowledge about current news is from family and friends. Everyone has an opinion and everyone loves talking! It is interesting to hear other peoples opinions and how they may view news differently than myself. When talking to someone in my life about news, I have to remember bias and how it may not always be accurate. After learning or talking to someone about a news article they may have read, I always go look it up to form my own opinion. It also allows for dialogue about a certain news headline or opinion that can be interesting to talk about with others.