Photo Credit to Eddie Playfair
In my opinion, the marketplace of ideas is the most important value of free expression for a few major reasons.This concept of a marketplace of ideas was borne out of the early American debate over whether or not printing or publishing should require a government-issued license. In his work entitled Areopagitica, John Milton argues that when truth and falsehood are allowed to freely grapple, truth will win out. And the grappling makes the truth even stronger. In short, this was the winning argument against the government requiring a publishing license for journalists and publications.
Also known as the Discovery of Truth, a marketplace of ideas must be protected under a free democracy in order for all people's views to have an equal voice and presence in society. Whether an individual leans right or left politically, they should have the ability to watch or read viewpoints that either support or dispute their claims. If there are two people, one who voted for President Trump and one who voted for Hillary Clinton, they should both have the same ability to watch either Fox News or MSNBC.
Along with free press protections, the marketplace of ideas is a vital part of the First Amendment's free speech clause. If the U.S. government required publishing licenses, they would effectively have control over who has a voice in mainstream media and what viewpoints are socially relevant. Since no such requirements exist, American society truly is a melting pot with a wide swath of political and social viewpoints, creating a truly free marketplace of ideas.
Photo Credit to Eddie Playfair
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