When government actors are allowed to decide which opinions can be expressed and which cannot, an open, vibrant and diverse society quickly breaks down.  Similarly, when our court system is used to silence those with unpopular views or those who oppose powerful actors, we all lose the opportunity to hear all sides of an issue and come to our own conclusions.  Freedom of expression is the right to speak, but also the right to hear.

From the Canadian Civil Liberties Web site, You should read it some time.