Writing for Index on Censorship magazine in 2007, the late Stan Cohen argued that child pornography and jihadi violence were testing the limits of tolerance
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CATEGORY: United Kingdom
Leveson: The way ahead for a free press in the UK
A tough but voluntary regulator is the best way to ensure a free press and a fair society, Index says in a new policy note
Plus: Why Leveson’s recommendations are more worrying than you think
High threshold set for social media prosecutions
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
Plus: Read the guidelines here
Index Press Release: Social media guidelines recognise there is no right not to be offended
Why journalism and politics should remain independent
Leveson’s “statutory underpinning” is no way to protect press freedom, says Kirsty Hughes
Communications Data Bill: Setback for UK government as “snooper’s charter” slammed
Home Secretary Theresa May’s plan to store information on every citizen’s use of email, the web, and phones have been dealt a severe blow by a parliamentary committee. Padraig Reidy reports
UK: Public Order Act may drop “insulting” as an offence
Section 5 of the 1986 Public Order Act could be adjusted to remove the word "insulting" from legislation, it was announced today (10 December). Director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer has said that past cases could be classified as "abusive",...
Libel tourism: Blogger sued in the UK by Tanzanian media tycoon wins case
A blogger sued for libel by a Tanzanian media tycoon won her case today (30 November). At the High Court in London, Mr Justice Bean ruled in favour of Sarah Hermitage, who used her Silverdale Farm blog to criticise Reginald Mengi, Executive...
Leveson inquiry: Politicians must give weight to free speech
The judge’s part is done, now its up to the press and parliament. Can the press convince politicians they are capable of reform? Or will the government decide it needs powers to control the press?
The UK Free Expression Scorecard
Index on Censorship launches its UK Free Expression Scorecard warning there is a worrying outlook for free speech in Britain today
Does Keir Starmer see the problem with poppy burners?
A panel discussion in London yesterday did not offer much hope that prosecutors and politicians will defend free speech online.
Paul Bernal reports