Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

"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 frontiers".

http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=5287&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

After reading Article 19, my first thought was in the eyes of the law, freedom of opinion and expression knows no boundaries. It does not include any restriction or acknowledgement with respect to a person's emotions. Freedom, as defined in 15 ways from dictionary.com goes

1.the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial.
2.exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3.the power to determine action without restraint.
4.political or national independence.
5.personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: a slave who bought his freedom.
6.exemption from the presence of anything specified (usually fol. by from): freedom from fear.
7.the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc.
8.ease or facility of movement or action: to enjoy the freedom of living in the country.
9.frankness of manner or speech.
10.general exemption or immunity: freedom from taxation.
11.the absence of ceremony or reserve.
12.a liberty taken.
13.a particular immunity or privilege enjoyed, as by a city or corporation: freedom to levy taxes.
14.civil liberty, as opposed to subjection to an arbitrary or despotic government.
15.the right to enjoy all the privileges or special rights of citizenship, membership, etc., in a community or the like.

These are probably why the definition of Freedom of Expression is being exploited and hence intensely discussed globally. However, in my opinion, Freedom of Expression should still be carried out conscientiously, bearing in mind, social, religious and political sensitivities. World peace is also currently promoted and I believe that Freedom of Expression and the former cannot co-exist together because achieving World Peace requires accommodative mindsets of the various parties involve. Yes, they can express their opinions ‘freely’ but the word is used loosely as the opinions are careful and not made at the expense of others.

Freedom of Expression can be applied to all forms of media, from art to speeches, letters, the Internet, the television and press. Any form that could bring an individual’s or group’s opinions out to the public. At present, Freedom of Expression is not just about expressing creativity but has unfortunately taken a form of direct attacks at sensitive issues, taking religion as an example.

Freedom of Expression is not about having biased, unsupported claims against another party but rather a discussion about an issue. Take for example, the fairly recent issue of the Danish newspaper publishing caricatures about Prophet Muhammad leading to a global uproar amongst the Muslim community. These were direct and open insults at Prophet Muhammad. There was neither a floor for discussion nor a chance for the Muslims to defend their religion.

Everything has it’s own place an time. Yes, the world can only progress if people express themselves to others, be it negatively or positively. But I think it should be conducted and moderated in a manner that does not jeopardize social stability that tends to tear at the fabric of life itself. Furthermore, Personal ‘Freedom of Expression’ should not subject others to large degrees of discomfort or take the form of causing many misunderstandings between oneself and others. At the end of the day, there should be restraint, moderation and most importantly a desire for the common and larger good of mankind, to take precedent over local and personal agendas.

386 words excluding words in italics.