@stux
In the west we pretty much rely in J S Mill for our definition of free speech: "If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." [On Liberty]
That comes with a proviso of "professing and discussing"
In which case free speech refers to a transaction - a flow and testing of ideas.