- 54 citizens – should enjoy not only rights, but also “opportunities.” The latter term entails the obligation to ensure, by taking positive measures, that anyone who is the formal holder of political rights has the real possibility of exercising them.299 Political rights and their exercise promote the strengthening of democracy and political pluralism.300 163. Consequently, the State must facilitate the ways and means to ensure that these political rights can be exercised effectively, respecting the principles of equality and non-discrimination.301 Political participation may include diverse and wide-ranging activities that the population carries out individually or on an organized basis in order to intervene in the appointment of those who will govern a State or who will be in charge of managing public affairs, as well as to influence the development of State policies through direct participation mechanisms302 or, in general, to intervene in matters of public interest, such as the defense of democracy. 164. From this perspective, the right to defend democracy referred to in the preceding section of this judgment constitutes a specific manifestation of the right to take part in public affairs and also includes, at the same time, the exercise of other rights such as freedom of expression and the right of assembly, as will be explained below. 165. Freedom of expression, particularly in matters of public interest, “is a cornerstone of the very existence of a democratic society.”303 Without an effective guarantee of freedom of expression the democratic systems is weakened and there is a breakdown of pluralism and tolerance; the mechanisms of control and complaint that citizens have may become inoperable and, indeed, a fertile ground is created for authoritarian systems to take root.304 Freedom of expression must be guaranteed not only as regards the dissemination of information and ideas that are received favorably or considered inoffensive or indifferent, but also those that the State or any sector of the population consider objectionable.305 Articles 3 and 4 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter also stress the importance of freedom of expression in a democratic society, when establishing that: “[e]ssential elements of representative democracy include, inter alia, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms” and “[t]ransparency in government activities, probity, responsible public administration on the part of governments, respect for social rights, and freedom of expression and of the press are essential components of the exercise of democracy.” 166. The Court’s case law has provided extensive content to the right to freedom of thought and expression established in Article 13 of the Convention. The Court has indicated that this norm protects the right to seek, receive and impart ideas and information of all kinds, as well as to know 299 Cf. Case of Yatama v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 195, and Case of López Mendoza v. Venezuela, supra, para. 108. 300 Cf. Case of Yatama v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 192, and Case of López Mendoza v. Venezuela, supra, para. 26. 301 Cf. Case of Yatama v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 195, and Case of Reverón Trujillo v. Venezuela, supra, para. 139. 302 Cf. Case of Yatama v. Nicaragua, supra, para. 195. 303 Cf. Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism (Arts. 13 and 29 American Convention on Human Rights). Advisory Opinion OC-5/85, of November 13, 1985. Series A No. 5, para. 70, and Case of Granier et al. (Radio Caracas Televisión) v. Venezuela. Preliminary objections, merits, reparations and costs. Judgment of June 22, 2015. Series C No. 293, para. 140. 304 Cf. Case of Herrera Ulloa v. Costa Rica. Preliminary objections, merits, reparations and costs. Judgment of July 2, 2004. Series C No. 107, para. 116, and Case of Granier et al. (Radio Caracas Televisión) v. Venezuela, supra, para. 140. 305 Cf. Case of “The Last Temptation of Christ” (Olmedo Bustos et al.) v. Chile. Merits, reparations and costs. Judgment of February 5, 2001. Series C No. 73, para. 69, and Case of Granier et al. (Radio Caracas Televisión) v. Venezuela, supra, para. 140.