“Marketplace of Ideas”

The “marketplace of ideas” was first cultivated by John Stuart Mill and applies to a key part of the ideals that led to “Enlightenment” 17th C. and into the 18th C., during the Libertarian Theory. The “marketplace of ideas” concept is based on the belief that the “truth” would emerge from the competition of ideas, in a free and transparent public forum. The “marketplace of ideas” is a rationale for freedom of speech and expression, with the notion that freedom of speech should be allowed, for it will lead us to the truth. John Stuart Mill’s book “On Liberty” justified the freedom of the individual in opposition to Authoritarian total control. In Mill’s introduction of “On Liberty” he lists the top three basic liberties in order of importance placing the following as most important:: The freedom of thought and emotion. This includes the freedom to act on such thought, i.e. freedom of speech. Mill’s idea in corellation to ideas espoused by other prominent figures (Milton, Locke, Paine, and Jefferson) of this historical time period led to revolutions, which brought forth the Libertarian era. This new era was based on new philosophies in which man was deemed rational, and able to think for themselves. The press became an ally to the people in search of the truth, the press also became “watchdogs” by holding accountable governing systems.

The “marketplace of ideas” would become a significant part of journalism and is still present and in effect today. One might argue that the “marketplace of ideas” has run amuck. As technology continues to advance we are witness to the ever-changing adaption made to journalism and its techniques. No longer is the schooled journalist, or the wealthy publisher the only ones to report our d...

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...an Assange’s “Wikileaks”. John Stuart Mill was not alone in his belief that freedom of speech would lead to the truth. According to Wikipedia, John Milton suggested that restricting speech was not necessary because “in a free and open encounter” truth would prevail, and US President Thomas Jefferson argued that it is safe to tolerate “error of opinion… where reason is left free to combat it”. We too see Fredrick Siebert claim in “Four Theories of Press” the idea of free expression as being “self-correcting”. It is safe to say that we are at our most democratic position to date with regards to journalism and our access to information in the western world, yet the future of the press remains unknown. One can only hope that the “marketplace of ideas” continues to be useful to our growth and development, and doesn’t prove to be fatal to our press and its future.