My Most Valued Freedom of Expression

In our recent class, we learned about the Eight Values of Free Expression in the community. Out of those eight, I have decided to pick out one of which I think is the most important to me and to our society as a whole. 

The value that I think is the most important is eighth one, Protect Dissent. This value states that you have a strongly protected right to criticize and disagree with the government and everyone. In fact it is our patriotic duty to criticize the government as our system is not to be one of mob rule. 

Steve Shiffrin, author of the book Dissent, Injustice, and the Meanings of America, had the idea that we should all actively encourage dissent, (to hold or express an opinion that disagrees with the majority), rather than tolerate it due to dissent being the heart of free speech.

Steve Shiffrin

As people grow in the world with different opinions and views ranging from social to political, it is only fair to engage kindly with one another while views might not align. Due to America being a nation of many and all cultures, it holds meaning towards groups that are protected though the government might be flawed. 

In today's world, with disagreements all around us, I have seen many people on both sides criticize what each other are doing but not so much what the government is doing. Shiffrin argues that the government will always prioritize the powerful unless the people force them to look at inequality. Social media is a massive playground of free expression to everyone and all but it is also a flawed program that favors the powerful and wealthy. 

Robert Reich

Many former and current government officials are actively criticizing the government and what they have been doing. One such as Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor for Bill Clinton, on his social media on Instagram. 

Though I am not into politics, I have done my research to know that he uses his platform in order to dissent against the injustice the government abuses.

Another person who uses their social media, which could be controversial, is our current president, Donald Trump. If you compare how Trump criticizes other people in the government to Shiffrin's value, people believe it is a very violated topic. 

Trump also uses his platforms on social media to respond people that criticize or disagree with him. Reich has publicly criticized Trump and his administration. This creates dissent between former and current government leaders.   

In March of 2025, Robert Reich wrote an opinion article in The Guardian, about the opposition of dissent, stating: "He does not invite dissent. In fact, he wants only to hear what he wants to hear." Reich's claim could relate back to the idea of the "chilling effect," where people can be less willing to express an opinion due to the government making people afraid of possible consequences.

President Donald Trump and journalist Kristen Welker
shown having an interview. 

In 2026, Kristen Welker, a NBC journalist, described Trump's endorsement record as "mixed results" on live TV which angered the president. 

This prompted him to post in August a description saying it  "purposeful inaccuracy." As well as saying that she would be reported to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for punishment.

This can relate back to college students as they start to grow in a future where people might not always agree with each other or the government. As a college student, the value of "Protect Dissent" relates to me as I am constantly being surrounded by people with different opinions and perspectives. Though I am not forced to agree with everyone around me, I should be able to express my own ideas without being scared of consequences that may follow.