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",...
CATEGORY: United Kingdom
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

Man arrested for poppy burning Facebook picture
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". UPDATE - Kent Police...

Index Interview: The salami slicing of free speech
In the first of a new interview series, Conservative MP Dominic Raab talks to Mike Harris about civil liberties, free speech and how he “wouldn’t lose any sleep” if the UK’s draft communications data bill were canned

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

Manchester man given eight months jail for cop-killer T-shirt
A man has been sentenced to a total of eight months in prison by a Manchester court for wearing a T-shirt daubed with offensive comments referring the murders of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes. Barry Thew, of Radcliffe, Greater Manchester...

Five ludicrous libel cases
Index has today called for the British government to deliver on its promise of real libel reform. Daisy Williams lists five cases that demonstrate how libel law can stifle debate, curtail critcism and even endanger lives