Against Freedom of Expression

Abstract

This paper states a common western ideal of freedom of expression. Such an ideal is tenable, it is argued, only if its implementation makes possible a ‘sound mass communication’. A communication is sound if and only if it prepares the way for growth in knowledge, pluralism, and equality of access to mass media. In today's world, with centralized ownership of mass media, the implementation of the common western ideal of freedom of expression does not prepare the way for knowledge, pluralism, and equality. Hence this ideal of freedom of expression is not tenable. Only if freedom of expression is severely restrained by democratic planning does ‘a sound mass communication’ evolve.