Eight Values of Free Expression: Checks on Governmental Power

Of the eight values of free expression (Discovery of Truth, Participation in Self-Government, Stable Change, Individual Self-Fulfillment, Check on Governmental Power, Promote Tolerance, Promote Innovation, and Protect Dissent. Explanation of each is below) the most important value in our society is Checks on Governmental Power.  Without the ability to restrain the Government from abuse of power it would not be possible for the rest of the eight values to be put into law.  If the American people and press find that the Government is abusing its power, we have the ability to change that because we are a part, a truthfully crucial part, of the checks and balances system.  This sort of 'watchdog role' allows us to put into practice the rest of the eight values.  In countries without the ability to restrain or check on governmental power the citizens do not have the ability to fully practice free expression.  This includes (but is not limited to) countries that have prior restraint laws, religious laws, and sedition or dissent laws.