Article 19 Universal Declaration Of Human Rights Freedom Of Speech On Social Media

July 13, 2025 by Scholario Team 83 views

**If your neighbor posts on social media that she doesn't agree with the policies of the President of the United States, what article of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" is she exercising?**

In today's interconnected world, social media platforms have become powerful tools for individuals to express their opinions and engage in public discourse. When someone, like your neighbor, uses these platforms to voice their disagreement with the policies of the President of the United States, they are exercising a fundamental human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Understanding which article of the UDHR protects this right is crucial for appreciating the foundations of freedom of expression and its importance in a democratic society.

Understanding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a landmark document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the UDHR was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The UDHR is not a treaty, so it does not directly create legal obligations for states. However, it has been enormously influential and is widely considered to have the status of customary international law. Its principles have been incorporated into numerous national constitutions and legal systems, and it serves as the foundation for a vast array of international human rights treaties and conventions.

The UDHR comprises 30 articles, each addressing a specific human right. These rights are interconnected, interdependent, and indivisible. They encompass a wide range of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Some key articles include:

Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Article 2: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind.
Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.
Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 8: Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 10: Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 12: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13: Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
Article 17: Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
Article 22: Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23: Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

These are just a few examples, and each article plays a vital role in protecting human dignity and freedom. In the context of your neighbor's social media post, we need to identify the article that specifically addresses freedom of expression.

The Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression: Article 19

The correct answer to the question is A. Article 19. This article is the cornerstone of freedom of expression within the UDHR framework. It states:

"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."

This article encompasses several key elements:

Freedom to hold opinions: This means that individuals have the right to form their own opinions without any interference or coercion from the government or other entities. It protects the inner sphere of thought and belief.
Freedom of expression: This extends beyond simply holding an opinion to the ability to communicate those opinions to others. It includes the freedom to express oneself through speech, writing, art, and any other medium of communication.
Freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas: This ensures that individuals can access information from various sources and share their ideas with others. This is essential for informed public discourse and democratic participation.
Through any media and regardless of frontiers: This recognizes that freedom of expression is not limited to traditional media like newspapers and television. It extends to all forms of media, including social media, and it applies across national borders. This is particularly relevant in today's digital age, where information and opinions can be shared globally in an instant.

When your neighbor posts on social media that she disagrees with the President's policies, she is exercising her right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19. She is holding an opinion, expressing it publicly, and imparting her ideas to others through a chosen medium. This right is fundamental to a democratic society, as it allows for open debate, criticism of government actions, and the free exchange of ideas.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

To further clarify why Article 19 is the correct answer, let's examine the other options provided and why they do not apply in this scenario:

B. Article 16: This article deals with the right to marriage and family. It states that men and women of full age have the right to marry and to found a family, and that marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. This article is not relevant to freedom of expression or political opinions.
C. Article 9: This article addresses the right to freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile. It protects individuals from being unlawfully deprived of their liberty. While this is an important right, it does not relate to the expression of political opinions on social media.
D. Article 11: This article concerns the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a public trial and the right not to be convicted of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. This article deals with criminal justice and the presumption of innocence, and it is not applicable to the expression of political opinions.

Therefore, the only article that directly addresses the scenario of expressing disagreement with government policies is Article 19, which guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The Importance of Freedom of Expression

Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a democratic society. It allows for the free exchange of ideas, the criticism of government policies, and the participation of citizens in public discourse. This right is not absolute and may be subject to certain limitations, such as those necessary to protect the rights and reputations of others or to maintain public order. However, any limitations must be prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society.

In the context of political discourse, freedom of expression is particularly important. It allows citizens to hold their leaders accountable, to debate policy options, and to advocate for change. When individuals feel free to express their opinions, even if those opinions are unpopular or critical of the government, it strengthens the democratic process.

Social media has become an increasingly important platform for freedom of expression. It allows individuals to share their thoughts and ideas with a wide audience, to organize and mobilize around issues they care about, and to engage in political debate. While social media platforms also present challenges, such as the spread of misinformation and hate speech, they remain a vital tool for democratic participation.

Conclusion

When your neighbor posts on social media that she doesn't agree with the policies of the President of the United States, she is exercising her right to freedom of expression under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This article guarantees the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media. Understanding and protecting this right is essential for maintaining a free and democratic society where individuals can express themselves without fear of reprisal.

By recognizing the importance of Article 19 and the broader principles of the UDHR, we can better appreciate the foundations of human rights and work to ensure that these rights are respected and protected for everyone. Freedom of expression is not just a legal right; it is a fundamental human right that enables individuals to participate fully in society and to contribute to the democratic process.