"Has the right. This individual empowerment flows naturally from the Universal Declaration's statement in Article 1 that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." Freedom of expression is a universal birthright, not a gift from a government or the UN This idea comes from the American revolution with its Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution with its Declaration of the Rights of Man.
"Freedom of opinion. This is the core operating language of Article 19. It covers freedom of thought and expression of opinion - to one person or a million people, by any means. It is a basic human right not to be forced to agree with your family, your neighbors, your classmates, your professor, your fellow workers, your political party or your government. This guarantees freedom of personal and political opinion.
"Freedom of expression. This very broad language guarantees freedom of expression in any form - not only news reports or political protests, but also the much broader expression of thought and feeling through literature, all forms of fine art, theater, dance and music. These freedoms are often suppressed by authoritarian governments, by powerful groups like religious organizations, or by politically correct thinking.
"Without interference. This important language forbids government or private party efforts to suppreess free speech or artistic expression, which of course happens in many countries, even sometimes in mature democracies like the U.S.
"To seek, to receive. This language allows students, scholars, researchers and media reporters to ask questions, dig for information, open government books and public records to receive information important to free inquiry so vital to academic and journalistic work. This is the basic right for any citizen to ask questions of authority and to receive honest, accurate answers.
"To impart information and ideas through any media. This is the operative language that guarantees everyone a free press meaning all forms of publication by newspaper, radio, television, cable, telephone, fax, satellite or World Wide Web.
"Regardless of frontiers. This last phrase of Article 19 is very important in today's global media world. Many authoritarian governments - like Malaysia's, which is calling for a rewriting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - are trying to control satellite broadcasting of news, entertainment programs and political ideas across their borders.
