26 123. The IACHR's Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression has observed that freedom of expression is a means for the exchange of information and ideas between individuals and for mass communication between human beings. 97 In this sense, the Inter-American Court has stressed that freedom of expression has an individual as well as a social dimension. The first dimension of the freedom of expression is not limited to the theoretical acknowledgement of the right to speak and write, but also encompasses the indivisible right to use any appropriate means to spread thought and cause it to reach the widest audience. 98 With regard to the second dimension of the right to freedom of expression, i.e., the social dimension, the Court has established that freedom of expression is a means for the exchange of ideas and information among individuals; it covers the right to attempt to communicate to others one's point of view, but also implies the right of everyone to be informed of opinions, stories and news of all kinds. 99 124. The full exercise of the right to express one's own ideas and opinions and to circulate the available information and the possibility of discussion in an open and unfettered way of the themes that concern all of us, is a sine qua non for the strengthening, functioning and preserving of democratic regimes. The formation of public opinion, well-informed and aware of its rights, citizens' control over public acts and the demands of responsibility on the part of state agents, would not be possible if this right were not guaranteed. In the same sense, its jurisprudence has stressed that the democratic purpose of freedom of expression has turned it into a necessary condition to prevent the spread of authoritarian regimes, to bring about personal and collective selfdetermination 100 and to render operative the "mechanisms of control and citizen complaint". 101 125. In the present case, the Commission must examine whether the attack against journalist Luis Gonzalo Vélez Restrepo on August 29, 1996, as well as the subsequent threats and acts of harassment, violated Mr. Vélez's freedom of thought and expression. 126. The Commission has held that acts of aggression towards journalists with the aim of silencing them constitute violations of the victim's freedom of expression as well as of society's right to unimpeded access to information. 102 Acts of aggression such as those suffered by Mr. Vélez generate fear for the recording and dissemination of certain information and ideas, to the prejudice of the unhindered circulation of opinions and views, so vital in a democratic regime. The Inter-American Court has stressed that in a democratic society "the greatest possible dissemination of news, views 97 IACHR, Inter-American Judicial Framework on the Right to the Freedom of Expression OEA/Ser.L/V/II IACHR/RELE/INF. 2/09, December 30, 2009, para.14 98 Cf. I/A Court H.R., Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism (Articles 13 and 29 Inter-American Convention on Human Rights). Advisory Opinion OC-5/85 of November 13, 1985. Series A No. 5, para.31. 99 Cf. I/A Court H.R., Case of Herrera Ulloa v Costa Rica. Judgment of July 2, 2004. Series C No. 107, para.110; I/A Court H.R., Case of Ricardo Canese v Paraguay. Judgment of August 31, 2004. Series C No. 111, para.79; I/A Court H.R., Case of “The Last Temptation of Christ" (Olmedo Bustos et al.) v Chile. Judgment of February 5, 2001. Series C No. 73, para.66. 100 Cf. I/A Court H.R., Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism (Articles 13 and 29 Inter-American Convention on Human Rights). Advisory Opinion OC-5/85 of November 13, 1985. Series A No. 5 para.70; Case of Claude Reyes et al. v Chile. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of September 19, 2006. Series C No. 151, para.85. 101 Cf. I/A Court H.R., Case of Ríos et al. v Venezuela. Preliminary Objections, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of January 28, 2009. Series C No. 194, para.105; I/A Court H.R., Case of Perozo et al. v Venezuela. Preliminary Objections, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of January 28, 2009. Series C No. 195, para.116. 102 IACHR, Report on the Human Rights situation in Mexico, September 24, 1998, para.649, p.142. See also IACHR, Annual Report 1999, Report Nº 50/99, Case 11.739 (Héctor Félix Miranda), Mexico.