Judge Liam McNally’s decision to allow the unpleasant Pastor James McConnell walk free is a little triumph for free speech
Padraig Reidy: What’s the difference between “offensive” and “grossly offensive”?
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CATEGORY: United Kingdom
After Charlie Hebdo: The free speech fight begins at home
Threats against freedom of expression come in all shapes and sizes. We need to stand up to the bullies together.
Padraig Reidy: Insisting the heavyweight be silenced accomplishes nothing
Pity poor Tyson Fury. No, wait, don’t. He’s heavyweight champion of the world and doesn’t seem particularly bothered what you or I think
Drawing pressure: Cartoons go under the hammer in support of Index on Censorship
Auction of cartoons by world-renowned editorial cartoonists will benefit Index’s work with persecuted writers and artists
Zunar: “Even my pen has a stand”
Malaysian cartoonist remains defiant in the face of a trial on nine charges under the country’s colonial-era Sedition Act
Newsnight: David Aaronovitch debates free speech and universities
One of the truly great things about being a student used to be the exposure university life gave you to all sorts of views — absurd and
Padraig Reidy: UK’s counter-extremism strategy is another blow to universities as free spaces
There are a few techniques you can use to spot whether someone has slightly dodgy views on the world. My favourite is the hand-chopping test.
Manick Govinda: Artistic expression is a value that must be defended
Ahead of the Battle of Ideas 2015, Manick Govinda explores why art should be dangerous, unsettling, funny, an emotional journey, beautiful, entertaining and, yes, obscene.
Julia Farrington: Pre-emptive censorship by the police is a clear infringement of civil liberties
In 1972, Michael Scammell, first editor of Index on Censorship magazine wrote in the first edition – “Freedom of expression is not self-perpetuating, but needs to be maintained by the constant vigilance of those who care about it.” We obviously haven’t been very vigilant here in the UK
Your lips are sealed
Two new elements in the government’s legislation programme are a real threat to free speech, campaigners tell Dominic Smith