Labour defeat on incitement laws – BBC News
“Labour has been defeated in the Lords over the issue of free speech and laws against inciting homophobic hatred.”
BBC News, 9th July 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: freedom of expression
New body to oversee expenses ‘could have chilling effect on MPs’ freedom of speech’ – The Guardian
“Gordon Brown’s plans to set up an independent body to take charge of parliamentary expenses could have a ‘chilling effect’ on MPs’ freedom of speech, the most senior official in the House of Commons warned today.”
The Guardian, 26th June 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
In re British Broadcasting Corporation: Attorney-General’s Reference (No 3 of 1999) – Times Law Reports
In re British Broadcasting Corporation: Attorney-General’s Reference (No 3 of 1999)
House of Lords
“Balancing the defendant’s right to privacy under article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights against the right of the British Broadcasting Corporation under article 10 of that Convention to freedom of expression and communication, an order made by the House of Lords in October 2000 in an Attorney-General’s reference prohibiting identification of the defendant, D, should be discharged.”
The Times, 18th June 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Why must a secret service fair hearing be heard in secret? – The Times
“Former MI5 officers guard many secrets. But, as Dame Stella Rimington well knows, they can tell their own stories. A former agent has to seek prior approval for publication from his or her former employers and, if it is not given, any dispute will ultimately be adjudicated by a High Court Judge with all the usual safeguards to ensure a fair trial. Or so it was thought until the Court of Appeal gave judgment in A v B.”
The Times, 11th June 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Ministers win vote on gay hatred – BBC News
“An attempt to insert a defence of ‘free speech’ into a bill designed to criminalise incitement to hatred over sexual orientation has failed.”
BBC News, 24th March 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Stars call for end to archaic libel laws – The Times
“The actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson and writer Andrew O’Hagan are heading a coalition of entertainers, writers, lawyers and journalists in a move today for the scrapping of an archaic law that allows people to be jailed for speaking out.”
The Times, 23rd March 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Times Newspapers Limited (Nos 1 and 2) v United Kingdom – Times Law Reports
Times Newspapers Limited (Nos 1 and 2) v United Kingdom
European Court of Human Rights
“The European Court of Human Rights held, unanimously, that a court’s finding that Times Newspapers Ltd had libelled G. L. by the continued publication on its internet site of two articles was not a disproportionate restriction on the newspaper’s freedom of expression, as guaranteed by article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The Times, 11th March 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
Far-right Dutch MP refused entry to UK – The Guardian
“Geert Wilders, the rightwing Dutch politician accused of Islamophobia, was today refused entry to the UK after arriving at Heathrow airport in London.”
The Guardian, 12th February 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Why the IWF was wrong to lift its ban on a Wikipedia page – OUT-LAW.com
“EDITORIAL: The Internet Watch Foundation faced a storm of criticism this week over its decision to add a Wikipedia entry to a blacklist of pages that ISPs block. Under pressure, the IWF removed the image from its blacklist. That decision was a mistake.”
OUT-LAW.com, 11th December 2008
Source: www.out-law.com
MPs seek to censor the media – The Independent
“Britain’s security agencies and police would be given unprecedented and legally binding powers to ban the media from reporting matters of national security, under proposals being discussed in Whitehall.”
The Independent, 10th November 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Mail editor accuses Mosley judge – BBC News
“Daily Mail editor-in-chief Paul Dacre has launched an attack on a High Court judge, accusing him of bringing in a privacy law by the back door.”
BBC News, 9th November 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Net Suicide Bill would breathe life into government censorship – The Register
“Government moves to reduce the availability of suicide sites on the internet may herald a new era of online censorship in the UK.”
The Register, 24th September 2008
Source: www.theregister.co.uk
A disgusting feast of filth? – The Times
“The theatre is a watchword for unfettered artistic licence. Or is it? Dramatists and producers still engage in battles with state censors — who can still determine what is fitting for public consumption. The official role of state censor, given to the Lord Chamberlain under the Licensing Act 1737, may well be dead — but censorship is alive and well in other guises.”
The Times, 18th September 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Max Mosley case: bend over, free speech, this is going to hurt – The Times
“Max Mosley is suing for breach of privacy over reports he participated in a sadomasochistic ‘Nazi orgy’. The case has big implications for tabloid culture and freedom of expression”
The Times, 13th July 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Editor defends decision to run exposé of Mosley orgy – The Independent
“The editor of the News Of The World has defended the paper’s allegation that Max Mosley had engaged in ‘sick Nazi orgy’. Colin Myler claimed while being cross-examined at the High Court that the 68-year-old Formula One boss had instigated a ‘crime upon himself’ when he was caned until blood was drawn.”
The Independent, 10th July 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Max Mosley’s case is the frontline in a legal battle for freedom of expression – The Independent
“The case that could define the future freedom of the British press contains some of the key ingredients of a Whitehall farce: a seemingly respectable middle-aged man caught with his pants down, drinking tea and chattering away to scantily clad women in the language of the sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo!: ‘Zey need more of ze punishment, I zink.'”
The Independent, 7th July 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Blogger wins right to free speech – The Guardian
“A blogger who faced charges of intimidation in cyberspace has won a legal judgment that anti-censorship campaigners claimed this weekend will protect freedom of expression across the worldwide web.”
The Guardian, 6th July 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Christian party loses BBC fight – BBC News
“A Christian party has lost a High Court bid to have its party election broadcast (PEB) repeated, after claims it was censored by the BBC and ITV.”
BBC News, 30th April 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
BBC in Christian ‘censorship’ row – BBC News
“The BBC and ITV face a legal challenge after asking a Christian party to make changes to its political broadcast.”
BBC News, 29th April 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Plans to ban gay jokes rejected by the Lords – Daily Telegraph
“Comedians and church leaders have claimed a victory for free speech after Government plans to ban jokes about homosexuals were rejected in the House of Lords.”
Daily Telegraph, 23rd April 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
