ABOUT FREE EXPRESSION

THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION

Free expression is vital to humanity and the foundation of a free society. It creates the space for the exchange of ideas in the arts, literature, religion, academia, politics and science, and is essential for other rights like freedom of conscience. Without free expression, ideas cannot be tested. Without free expression, individuals cannot make informed decisions.

HOW IS IT PROTECTED?

Free expression is a universal human right enshrined in Article 19 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

The right to free expression is also contained in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.”

The convention, however, also says free expression must be balanced against other rights such as the right to privacy and, in certain cases, can be restricted.

Comedian Nish Kumar hosts the 2019 Freedom of Expression Awards (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)

WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE?

Index believes that free expression should only be limited where the speech itself incites violence or where there is a direct and imminent threat of violence being committed as a result of the expression, as articulated largely in the US interpretation of its First Amendment.

“Freedom of expression is not self-perpetuating, but rather has to be maintained through the constant vigilance of those who care about it.”

Index on Censorship magazine, 1972

READ MORE ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

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About our publisher

Index on Censorship is published quarterly in April, June, September and December by Sage

2023 Freedom of Expression Award winners announced

Index on Censorship has recognised activists and campaigners from Afghanistan, India and Iran for their work at its annual awards ceremony

The international community must resist Hong Kong’s attempts to threaten human rights across the globe using the National Security Law

Eight pro-democracy activists living in exile in the UK, USA and Australia, including Nathan Law (pictured), are the subject of arrest warrants and rewards for information leading to their capture

STATEMENTS:

Index reiterates our urgent call for Assange to be freed

The final stage of Assange's UK appeal begins today. The international community must unite in their support to free him

The international community must resist Hong Kong’s attempts to threaten human rights across the globe using the National Security Law

Eight pro-democracy activists living in exile in the UK, USA and Australia, including Nathan Law (pictured), are the subject of arrest warrants and rewards for information leading to their capture

Media outlets excluded from UK Home Secretary’s trip to Rwanda

Index raises second Council of Europe alert over exclusion of journalists seen as critical of Government's immigration policy

The UK Government must honour its pledge to resettle Afghans at-risk

The number of Afghan journalists and media workers who are in imminent danger remains incredibly high, inside the country and beyond

UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition welcomes end of Realtid case

Index and other coalition members continue to call for urgent action to be taken against SLAPPs after settlement of case against Swedish business publication

UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition reiterates its support for Carole Cadwalladr

Index joins other members of the coalition in welcoming court’s dismissal of majority of appeal in legal action against journalist in Arron Banks case

Belarus: Free Andrei and Irina now

Index on Censorship and ARTICLE 19 call for charges against human rights defenders to be dropped

Letter to Justice Secretary: Adoption of a UK Anti-SLAPP Law

Editors, journalists, lawyers and academics write to Dominic Raab to express support for the Model UK Anti-SLAPP Law launched by the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition

Italy: a call in support of Roberto Saviano

The Italian writer is facing a lawsuit for aggravated defamation initiated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Coalition of journalism organisations slams the National Security Bill

Index, RSF, the NUJ and openDemocracy say the overly broad and vague way the bill is currently drafted could see journalists labelled as spies

Anti-SLAPP measures cannot come fast enough

New rules cannot come fast enough as Kazakhstan university endowment fund associated with former president issues legal proceedings against UK media outlets

The Online Safety Bill must be completely overhauled

Index calls on the new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ensure legislation does not damage rights to freedom of expression and privacy

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