The EU believes that respect for the right to freedom of expression, together with other human rights such as that of freedom from arbitrary detention, is essential for long-term economic prosperity and social stability, as well as being justified in its own right.
EL usub, et sõnavabaduse õiguse austamine koos muude inimõigustega, nagu õigus mitte saada omavoliliselt kinnipeetud, on oluline pikaajalise majandusliku jõukuse ja sotsiaalse stabiilsuse saavutamiseks ning on samuti iseenesest põhjendatav.