High threshold set for social media prosecutions

December 19th, 2012

Guidelines issued today on when criminal charges should be brought against people posting offensive or abusive comments on social media sites could boost free speech (more…)

Man arrested for poppy burning Facebook picture

November 12th, 2012

Police in Kent, England have arrested a man after he posted a picture of a burning Remembrance Day poppy on Facebook. According to the Kent Police website, the man is being questioned on suspicion of “malicious communications”. (more…)

Do western democracies protect free speech?

October 14th, 2012

In the age of social media, the European Union needs to defend free expression. But it often falls far short, says Padraig Reidy

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Azhar Ahmed given community order for offensive Facebook post

October 9th, 2012

Yorkshire man Azhar Ahmed has been given a community order after being found guilty of “sending a grossly offensive communication”. Ahmed, 19, from West Yorkshire wrote on Facebook that “All soldiers should DIE & go to HELL!”  This morning at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court he was fined £300 and ordered to complete 240 hours of community service over a two-year period.

UK: Teenager denies making ‘grossly offensive’ comments on Facebook

March 20th, 2012

The teenager accused of making “grossly offensive” comments about the deaths of six British soldiers in Afghanistan has denied charges against him. Azhar Ahmed, of West Yorkshire, appeared before Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court today. Ahmed is charged under the Communications Act 2003 after allegedly posting a message on Facebook earlier this month commenting on the relative coverage of British soldiers killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan and the deaths of Afghan civilians. The teen also faced a racially-aggravated public order charge, but this was withdrawn before the court today. Ahmed will will stand trial at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court on 3 July.