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.
If you're facing a dispute with a neighbour and wondering whether your rights have been violated, you can describe what happened using our free Rights Situation Checker.
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’.
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.
Describe what has happened and find out which UK human rights protections apply and what you can do. Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice. 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.
Is it the Same as Freedom of the Press?
So What
The committee of my allotment association has just made a new rule that members may not send "circular letters" to each other unless they are first seen and approved by the committee. Is this a breach of freedom of expression?
The association rents the land from the council, who provide rules and regulations.
The LGO stated " My view is the Allotment Association exercises administrative functions for the Council. This is because the Council has entered an arrangement with the AA to carry out the function of managing the allotments. The fact the arrangement is through a tenancy agreement does not affect the operation of the statutory provisions. So the Ombudsman can consider whether there was fault in the actions [ the allotment committee] took."
1. Is the allotment committee within their rights to prohibit members writing "circular letters" (i.e. informational letters)?
2. Is the allotment committee within their rights to impose censorship on members?
3. In light of the LGO's opinion, should any complaint / comment be addressed to the committee or the council?
I hope you can answer these questions. I am experiencing great difficulty in receiving a definitive answer.
on topic about the freedom of speech i dont care im 12 years old and i want to change the world and make everyone feel equal and part of this world.freedom?it also mean people should be eating and drinkng what they want, should be treated as a human.education?thats a huge part of everyones life!!how come no ones caring about people having to pay for education in other countries.in other countries they have to quit school and work and earn less money than your supposed to get...this world we should be fighting for justice, equality and of course...freedom.
press are nobody, they should get no more than we have, now things could be a bit more level, or just like the political parties does the press expect to have what they have, the press should remember THEY ARE NOBODY, get us a say then we might agree with you.
Would this promote a little anger from my local MP and as a consequence, the business community?
having."
Ex shadow Home secretary David Davis M.P "The simple truth is that in a free society there is no right not to be offended. For centuries freedom of speach has been a vital part of British life."
At work
Talking to my colleges is this against my human rights
Freedom of speech ?
How about everyone and there cat on twitter being arrested?
Democarcy?
I didnt get a choice when Blair decided to goto war with no proof of WMD.
I didnt get a vote about joining Europe.
Anyone who thinks we live in a democratic society is a fool!
Do I have right to express my opinion and express my view or not. What happened if they drag me to court. Please help.
many thanks
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
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?
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