What freedom allows individuals to express their ideas and opinions publicly?

The correct answer is freedom of speech, which is a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. This freedom ensures that individuals have the ability to express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas without fear of government retaliation or censorship. It plays a crucial role in a democratic society by enabling open discourse, encouraging the exchange of ideas, and allowing for criticism of the government and public figures.

Freedom of assembly, while also important, specifically pertains to the right to gather in groups for various purposes, such as protests or meetings. Freedom to worship is focused on the right to practice one's religion freely. Freedom from censorship, although related, deals more with the protection against suppression of information rather than directly addressing the right to express individual opinions and ideas publicly. Thus, freedom of speech directly captures the essence of expressing one's opinions and is central to democratic engagement and discourse.