1. In a democracy, why is it important to be able to

criticize government leaders, without being

punished?

If the government is open to public criticism, political excesses can be brought forward and used to generate outrage among the voting populace to either get them removed from office or shine the light of truth upon those performing unsavory acts, hopefully shaming them into stopping or changing.

Explanation:

Basically, stopping leaders from becoming tyrants.