Freedom of speech. It sounds so simple, natural even. We have the right to voice our opinions in any way we please, whether verbally, in writing or both. We have the right to be heard; and to hear the opinions of others without being obliged to believe what they say. For the most part UK citizens have always had this right, so it may sound obvious to you and not need elaboration. We are lucky enough to live in a democratic society that believes in the rights, the human rights, of its people. Everyone has the right to their opinion, just as you have the right not to listen.
However, there are many countries, and millions of people, who do not have freedom of speech. They do not have the right to hear, watch, or read anything apart from sanitised and sanctioned material. Those that do read anything else are treated as extremists, subject to imprisonment or worse.
We have had the benefit of this and many other human rights for quite some considerable time, despite news reports that would seem to state otherwise. Our law has not been decided in a rush and made by those living a privileged lifestyle. It has been built by the decisions made in Courts, with juries of our peers and the Court has always been a place of equality and fairness.
Our freedom to speak out against injustice, or just voice our opinion about the state of Local Government, has already been well-established. However the fact that this is one of our sacrosanct human rights was not properly confirmed until The Human Rights Act 1998. This has placed into our law, among other human rights, the fact that we can have our own opinions and discuss these opinions freely and without fear of reprisal or interference from the Government. This is under Article 10 of the Act and called ‘Freedom of Expression’.
Is it the Same as Freedom of the Press?
Yes and No. The members of the press have the human right to print anything they want, provided they don’t invade another’s privacy and that they have the evidence to back up their assertions. In a way, you are also constrained by the same thing. As with any right you also have responsibilities; you are subject to the law when it comes to slander and libel and you cannot knowingly reveal information given to you in confidence. Nor can you say anything that would threaten the public safety, national security or undermine the legal system.
Essentially this means that, although you may believe that what you are saying is true, you cannot put up posters encouraging people to commit crime, or start a riot. Similarly you cannot make a libelous statement to the press about someone you know.
So What Can I Do?
Pretty much anything you want; if you have strong opinions about how the country is being run, you can voice them. If you have cold, hard proof about crimes being committed, you can go to the authorities and tell them. It may seem obvious that you have this right, but the fact remains that many other countries do not, and if a UK Government body is trying to stop you from, for instance, giving a speech about crime in your neighbourhood, or writing a report on the state of the local primary care trust, they are breaching your right to freedom of expression, one of your fundamental human rights and you have the right to take action against them.
We had a big event as we celebrate every year in September, called Delhi Day (Battle honor).I have made few comments toward the organising team as this was not right that was not right because I feel some of the people on the floor not happy the way it organised.Every year there was open tender for catering service and sale of drinks but this year the committee and especially chairperson decided to grant someone as he feel OK.The price of food was charged high than last year, which I said wrong, the price of drink was too high and I objected. I have tried tofind cheaper quote than this year and nothing heard.Now the chirman and his deputy feel humiliated, insulted and feel very bad about my comments.They wish to take legal action to me.
Do I have right to express my opinion and express my view or not. What happened if they drag me to court.Please help.
Mukti - 22 September 2011 @ 7:40 PM
my question is regarding how to deal with police officers when taking videos in a public place, or announcing my opinions in a public place, i have been told by several officers of the law that i cannot have them recorded when they are asking me questions, tho i beleive it is in my right to have a witness there and to have it recorded, please help me clear this up. thanks
Freedomaintcheap - 11 July 2011 @ 10:58 AM
in a hospital staff have put comments on facebook some and general moans about this hospital and some are just asking for a swap of shift no names are mentioned. The management have printed this all off and are taking alot of staff to disciplinary stage 1 are they allowed to do this when most of these people were just trying to swap a shift. or having a general moan ? is this covered under the human rights act thanks
LuLu - 2 July 2011 @ 4:46 PM
my work are getting me in for a disciplinary,for a comment i put on facebook,it does not say my work or anyones name,i find this to b intrampment,as its a private conversation am having with friends on facebook,.are they right to do this?
many thanks
demi01 - 23 June 2011 @ 6:05 PM
How about the footballer sueing twitter at the moment? Do i have the right to say his name?
mb007 - 21 May 2011 @ 3:39 PM
169. Notwithstanding the mother’s reassurances, the father raised the same issue during his police interviews. The police officers latched on to this, treating it almost as if it were a confession. The interviewing officers did not have the benefit of the medical evidence that is before the court. Had they been aware of the medical evidence they would no doubt have realised that this ‘explanation’ from the father does not stand up to close scrutiny.
The above extract from the Bellamy judgement shows that the results of the x-rays were kept secret from the police !
Certainly neither Christopher Booker nor the parents were told before the departure to Ireland where no treatment at all was required for any injuries……
Be that as it may,Bellamy knew quite well that Christopher could not report fractures that were kept secret from him and from the police,but nevertheless castigated him for not writing about them !
Hypocrisy or Deliberate deception? Take your choice
ian - 18 May 2011 @ 12:02 PM
What a lot of jargon! Why not stick to the simple outrageous fact that a mother can [details of case redacted - Carl] and that she will be jailed if she tries to complain! WHY? Because biased judges pretend the right to privacy free from interference from government agencies as stated in Article 8 of the Human rights Act was designed to gag parents when in fact the obvious intention was to PROTECT them !
Let's talk in terms that the average man in the street would use and understand! Social workers can take our babies and jail us if we kick up a public fuss! We get punished even though we have committed no crimes against children or anyone else! Where is justice? Where is free speech? Where is so called democracy?
ianjosephs - 3 May 2011 @ 9:01 PM
At school I can't voice my own opinions, in fact yesterday I got put in confinement for it. I made a statement about homosexuality
