Democratic Freedoms Year 8 Civics and Citizenship PDF

Humanities and Social Sciences Democratic Freedoms Year 8 Civics and Citizenship Learning Objective TRACK WITH ME Students will learn about Democratic Values in Australia Success Criteria Students can identify and outline the four Democratic Values Students can explain...

Humanities and Social Sciences Democratic Freedoms Year 8 Civics and Citizenship Learning Objective TRACK WITH ME Students will learn about Democratic Values in Australia Success Criteria Students can identify and outline the four Democratic Values Students can explain the importance of Democratic Values. Concept Development Title Title: Democratic Freedoms EQ EQ(s): What are the democratic freedoms? Keywords How do democratic freedoms differ around the world? Key Word [headings on slides] Notes Notes Homework (Do not rule up this section until we are finished with notes): Homework Answer EQ in Summary section Activate Prior Knowledge Democratic Values Most democracies share a similar set of values and beliefs. These values and beliefs underpin and support democratic governance. In Australia, our Democratic Values are: 1. Respect CHECK FOR CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING UNDERSTANDING 2. Equality What are Australia’s Why are these values 3. Fairness Democratic Values? important and important to know? 4. Freedom If a government is not upholding these values, then it is not operating democratically. Concept Development Democratic Freedoms In Australia In Australia, our Democratic Values have given way to, and are expressed by the people, through Democratic Freedoms. These Freedoms are NOT the same as rights, however, they are enshrined is Australian law – the highest authority in Australia. This means that these freedoms cannot be taken away by the government OR other people! Concept Development Overview of Democratic Freedoms FREEDOM allows people to act and express themselves in whatever way they feel, so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others. This includes: Freedom of… ASSOCIATION… joining or forming groups MOVEMENT… able to travel within Australia and to leave when you like ASSEMBLY… meeting for social or political purposes RELIGION… practicing your faith as you feel is right for you EXPRESSION (Speech)… saying what you think Concept Development Bounds of the Law Our freedoms are limited by ‘the bounds of the law’. This means we can’t break the law in-order to express our freedoms. E.g. We are allowed to assemble and protest in Australia, but if that protest becomes violent and people get hurt, or property is damaged, it is no longer a legal activity. Simply put, if your freedom is hurting others or taking away their freedom, its’ illegal, because their freedom is equal to yours. That’s – Fairness. Concept Development Freedom of Expression (Speech) Refers to our right to express information, opinions, and beliefs without fear of the government preventing us or punishing us for it. Includes speaking, written expression, and artworks such as political cartoons and murals. It extends to the media, opposition parties, and any other political groups. Bounds of the Law: criminal laws (violence, terrorism, harm to others), anti- discrimination laws, information laws (publishing personal information). In Australia, this is not part of the constitution. However, some judges argue that it is implied. As a democratic nation, it is assumed we should be able to have a say in the way our country is run. Concept Development Case Study: Australia vs Russia Australia Russia Implied freedom of speech Russian constitution provides freedom of speech Limitations: to protect other freedoms and social – however, it does not guarantee it values – laws against defamation, hate speech Limitations: and incitement to violence Media: state-controlled, independent journalism Media: free press, able to provide opinion and faces strict censorship critical pieces of journalism about the government Criminalisation of dissent: Criticism of the without persecution government and political opposition can lead to Public debates can occur arrest or legal punishment under anti-extremism laws. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWYpxOQ4VHA [1:38] Vocabulary Censorship: the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, and news that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable or a threat to security. Dissent: to publicly disagree with an official opinion or decision Independent Practice Explore the Reporters Without Borders map, with specific focus on Australia and Russia. https://rsf.org/en/index Using evidence from the map and further articles on the website, answer the following questions in your book: 1. Describe how freedom of speech in Australia is different to Russia. 2. Explain how regulation in the media affects democracy. 3. Describe how the freedom of speech for the media would impact the political expression in Russia. Concept Development Freedom of Association Refers to the right to peacefully join a group, club or organisation without being stopped. Bounds of the Law: criminal gangs, terrorist organisations, workplace relations, exclusion based on disability Not officially protected by the Constitution, however, Australia has signed a number of treaties or agreements to ensure citizens receive basic human rights. For example: Australia has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which states: ‘Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests.’ Independent Practice Governments should be able to restrict freedom of association for national security reasons. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Write your response in your books and provide justification. You may conduct further research to support your reason. Concept Development Freedom of Assembly Refers to the right to peacefully gather or meet in public or private places. Not protected by the Constitution but the Australian government set out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This freedom gives us the right to protest. In Australia this can also include, rallies, marches, or sit-ins. Bounds of the Law: restrict criminal or terrorist organisations, protests that become violent will generally be shit down to prevent damage to property or harm to people, public assembly law. Independent Practice News Article Investigation 1. Choose a news article from a reliable source (e.g., ABC News, The Guardian Australia, Sydney Morning Herald) about a recent protest in Australia. 2. Summarise the news article. Consider how the protest was organised, the issues being protested, the scale of the event, and the government or police response. 3. Explain how this protest illustrates Australia’s commitment to freedom of assembly. Concept Development Freedom of Religion Refers to the right to believe in or practice whatever religion you want to. This freedom extends to all religions. Some protection in the Australian Constitution Bounds of the Law: criminal law – section 80.2C of the Criminal Code prevents people from encouraging or advocating terrorism. Lesson Closure In Australia citizens have the freedom of… Expression: our right to express information, opinions and beliefs Association: the right to peacefully form or join a group Assembly: the right to peacefully gather or meet in public or private places Religion: the right to believe in or practice whatever religion you wish Movement: a citizen’s ability to freely move between states or regions within the country All the freedoms are limited by the bounds of law. You can’t break the law while exercising these freedoms.