Why does freedom of speech matter?

Why does freedom of speech matter?

These are my favourite three quotes on why freedom of speech does matter:

“I wholly disapprove of what you say and will defend to the death your right to say it.”
Volair

“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
― George Orwell

“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an ass of yourself.”
― Oscar Wilde

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