Although we live in the age of communications, our access to reliable information is limited. Our vision is blocked by fake news and those who have real information are silenced.
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
Article 19 states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
Authors: Deyan Valentinov, Ivelina Tikhomirova (XI b grade) and Silvia Alexandrova (IXa grade) from the high school of Science and mathematics “St. Kliment Ohridski”, city of Montana.
Reflection Questions:
- Which international human rights documents refer to freedom of expression?
- How is freedom of expression defined in the European Convention on Human Rights (1950)?
- Freedom of expression includes the right to receive and share information without restriction. In what cases can freedom of expression be restricted?