36 Court has established that freedom of expression is a means for the exchange of ideas and information between persons; it includes their right to try to communicate their points of view with others, but also 133 implies the right of all to hear - liberally - opinions, stories, and news of all kinds. 117. The right to freedom of expression also constitutes a fundamental element on which the existence of democratic societies is based due to its indispensable structural relationship with 134 democracy. The objective itself of Article 13 of the American Convention is to strengthen the functioning of pluralist and deliberative democratic systems by protecting and fomenting the free 135 circulation of information, ideas, and expression of all kinds . In this sense, the Court has found that: Freedom of expression is a cornerstone upon which the very existence of a democratic society rests. It is indispensable for the formation of public opinion. It is also a conditio sine qua non for the development of political parties, trade unions, scientific and cultural societies and, in general, those who wish to influence the public. It represents, in short, the means that enable the community, when exercising its options, to be sufficiently informed. Consequently, it can be said that a society 136 that is not well informed is not a society that is truly free. 118. In this context, the Court has emphasized the role of journalists and the media in making freedom of expression effective in both of its dimensions. For the Court, “Within this context, journalism is 137 the primary and principal manifestation of freedom of expression of thought” and the media can be 138 "true instruments of freedom of expression." The Commission has recognized that it is through the communications media that directors, editors and journalists are able to exercise their right to freedom of expression as individuals. According to the Commission, just as trade unions are instruments for the exercise of workers’ right to association and political parties are vehicles for the exercise of citizens’ …continuación Case of Herrera Ulloa v. Costa Rica. Judgment of July 2, 2004. Series C No. 107, para. 101(1)(a); Inter-American Court, Case of Herrera Ulloa. Judgment of July 2, 2004, Series C No. 107, para. 108; Inter-American Court, Case of Ivcher Bronstein v. Peru. Judgment of February 6, 2001. Series C No. 74, para. 146; Inter-American Court, Case of Ricardo Canese v. Paraguay. Judgment dated August 31, 2004, Series C No. 111, para. 77; Case of "The Last Temptation of Christ ” (Olmedo Bustos et al.) v. Chile. Judgment dated February 5, 2001. Series C No. 73, para. 64; Inter-American Court, Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism (Arts. 13 and 29 American Convention on Human Rights). Advisory Opinion OC5/85 of November 13, 1985. Series A No. 5, para. 30; IACHR. Annual Report 1994. Chapter V: Report on the Compatibility of “Desacato” laws with the American Convention on Human Rights. Section III. OAS/Ser. L/V/II.88. doc. 9 rev. February 17, 1995, IACHR. Report No. 130/99. Case No. 11.740. Víctor Manuel Oropeza. Mexico. November 19, 1999, para. 51; IACHR. Report No. 11/96, Case No. 11.230. Francisco Martorell. Chile. May 3, 1996. Para. 53. 133 Cf. Inter-American Court, Case of Herrera Ulloa v. Costa Rica. Preliminary Objections, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of July 2, 2004. Series C No. 107, para. 110. Inter-American Court, Case of Ricardo Canese v. Paraguay. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment dated August 31, 2004. Series C No. 111, para. 79. Case of "The Last Temptation of Christ ” (Olmedo Bustos et al.) v. Chile. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment dated February 5, 2001. Series C No. 73, para. 66. 134 Cf. Inter-American Court, Case of Claude Reyes et al. Judgment of September 19, 2006. Series C No. 151, para. 85; Inter-American Court, Case of Herrera Ulloa v. Costa Rica. Judgment of July 2, 2004. Series C No. 107, para. 116; Inter-American Court, Case of Ricardo Canese v. Paraguay. Judgment dated August 31, 2004. Series C No. 111, para. 86; Inter-American Court, 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. 135 IACHR. Pleadings before the Inter-American Court in the case of Ivcher Bronstein v. Peru. Transcripts available at: Inter-American Court, Case of Ivcher Bronstein v. Peru. Judgment of February 6, 2001. Series C No. 74, para. 143(d); IACHR. Pleadings before the Inter-American Court in the Case of "The Last Temptation of Christ ” (Olmedo Bustos et al.) v. Chile. Transcripts available at: Inter-American Court, Case of “The Last Temptation of Christ” (Olmedo Bustos et al.) v. Chile. Judgment dated February 5, 2001. Series C No. 73, para. 61(b). 136 Cf. Inter-American Court, 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. 137 Cf. Inter-American Court, 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. 71. 138 Inter-American Court. Case of Ivcher Bronstein v. Peru. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of February 6, 2001. Series C No. 74, paras. 149-50.