FREEDOM OF SPEECH AS THE BASIS OF A DEMOCRATIC ORDER

The paper analyzes the concept and importance of freedom of speech, as one of the basic prerequisites for the existence of democracy and a democratic order. Freedom of speech is a universal human right that guarantees every individual the opportunity to express opinions, ideas and attitudes freely, without fear of sanctions, pressure or censorship. Freedom of thought is almost inextricably linked to freedom of speech. Together, these two fundamental freedoms, as John Stuart Mill claimed, mark the entire scope of human freedom. The authors will examine the connection between democracy and freedom of speech through research, first in a historical context, but also through an examination of existing forms of guarantee, of exercising and protecting freedom of speech in modern democratic societies. Of essential importance is also the analysis of the possibility of restricting freedom of speech, especially in the domain where there is tension between freedom of speech and its antipode, hate speech. Finally, it is worth looking at the challenges that arise as a real threat to the exercise and protection of freedom of speech in the so-called era of the Internet and social networks.