What is the Point of Free Speech?

How might we understand the nature and importance of a right to freedom of speech? One way to go is to appeal to the rights of speakers and listeners. Individuals would then have a right against state interference in saying what they want to say. On the other hand, listeners have a right to listen to whom they please and thus also would have a right against state interference. By stopping certain things from being voiced or published, for instance, the state would also be violating individuals’ rights to hear or read these things if they so choose. This paper is part of a Symposium on “Free Speech Beyond The Constitution” published in 27 Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues (2025).