Marketplace of Ideas

Alot has been said about "marketplace of ideas" theory. Al Gore put a foot forward in explaining how this concept is under assault in US where to get ideas out to the public, a candidate will need to have to pay to have a 30 seconds slot to air their campaign. Those unable to pay will have their chance to air their views robbed and the public will not have a chance to hear what he/she has to say.

John Stuart Mill, an English political philosopher of the middle and 19th century has a deep influence in US constitutional laws and Mill's essay "On Liberty" has been the catalyst for marketplace of ideas theory where free flow of ideas should not be restrained.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.'s dissenting opinion in Abrams v. United States, 250 U.S. 616, 630," .......the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas, that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market, and that truth is the only ground upon their wishes can safely be carried out."

In Malaysia, to say that we have grounds for this to happen would be the joke of the century. With all the restrictions and punishments ready to be invoked anytime, information flow is only a one way traffic.