Voltaire, a French philosopher said, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death for your right to say it." Freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental rights that individuals enjoy. It is fundamental to the existence of democracy and the respect of human dignity. It is also one of the most dangerous rights, because freedom of speech means the freedom of voicing their opinion, political, religious or social with the status quo and the desire to change it. As such, it is one of the most threatened rights, with governments - and even human rights groups - all over the world constantly trying to curtail it. How true is freedom of speech being practiced? The absurdity of freedom in speech is so clear in the society today. 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the  people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." That's The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States (Bill of Rights) that was ratified on December 15, 1791. Any petition or bills are not just ensuring freedom of speech. It is also meant that one could voice their opinion, political, religious or social free from persecution. Although the person who speaks may not have agreed personally with the statement, they guaranteed the right of the citizenry to say it. For example, University of Michigan undergraduate Jake Baker was arrested by FBI agents for posting to the alt.sex.stories newsgroup on the Internet on a violent narrative of rape and torture that used the real name of a female classmate for the victim. The university suspended him and a federal judge ordered him held without bail, charged with the federal crime of "transporting threatening material" across state lines. Hasn't the constitution guarantees freedom even for repugnant fantasies broadcast worldwide? It does! Poor Baker was arrested for expressing his freedom.
                            
Even in our country, Malaysia, known as a democratic country and multi-racial society. Does freedom of speech prevails? If it is, then I do not think why some of the Leaders of Democratic Action Party (DAP) had to pay a heavy personal price of detention under the Internal Security Act, prosecution in courts and various forms of persecution and harassment. 
These leaders are speaking of what is fair to human consciousness and as a vocal opposition and resistance to many abuses of human rights in the past 30 years. Instead being rewarded by the government, they were detain and fined. Such cases is like Sdr. Lim Kit Siang had been twice detained for 18 months under the ISA in 1969 and 1987 respectively. Party veterans Sdr. Chan Kok Kit and Sdr. Chian Heng Kai were also detained without trial for four years and nine months for their peaceful and legitimate advocacy of the right to mother-tounge education in 1978.   

As I have stated that freedom of speech is also a dangerous right, even it would just cost one's life. Politicians, journalist and reporters are the most targeted by the society on what they express. Many of them were murdered and assassinated by the people in the society because these people do not like what they have express. An example is like President John F. Kennedy of United States who was assassinated because of his ideas and views. Recently, a Filipino journalist was found dead in a truck because he had revealed the activities of a criminal gang to the society on magazines. This journalist was killed for the truth he has revealed and it was a way to stop such criminal activities to ensure the peace and safety in the society.   

In conclusion, freedom of speech as written in constitutions or bills, has to be express through showing. As people always say, "Action speaks louder than words"; that is the first point to make freedom of speech to a successive and respectable constitution. Lets uphold the freedom of speech like what the great philosopher, Socrates has said, "Men of Athens, I shall obey the God rather than you. While I have life and strength I shall never cease to follow philosophy and to exhort and persuade any one of you whom I happen to meet. For this, be assured the God commands . . .' And, Athenians, I should go on to say, Either acquit me or not; but understand that I shall never act differently, even if I have to die for it many times."