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What exactly is freedom of speech? Is it different from or the same as freedom of expression?

How do the two differ? Which of the two categories do deliberate insults, derogatory remarks, slurs, curses, & lies to misrepresent facts & to degrade some one come under? I am kind of confused by the usage of these terms. So I just want to understand. Can someone please explain?

1 Answer

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Freedom of speech is the right to say whatever you want verbally ... within reason. Threatening to harm another person or group of people can get someone in trouble, so there isn't 100% freedom of speech verbally, but freedom of speech to say anything so long as it isn't advocating for harming other people.

    Freedom of expression is the right to express any idea, thoughts, opinions, etc through various ways such as in the form of writing, on the internet, etc. Freedom of expression is the right to say anything on all mediums that can be used to express a thought, opinion, idea, etc. Freedom of speech generally just covers the verbal aspect.

    Some people use the terms interchangibly. Ultimately, they mean the same thing, but if you want to get specific, what I described above is the core difference.

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