Is there an actual law giving us " Freedom of speech or expression" ?
2006-09-18 02:03:26 · 24 answers · asked by Douglas M 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
This is one of the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution!
2006-09-18 02:13:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anarchy99 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
YES!!!
In the USA the First Amendment.
In the UK as we do not have a written constitution our rights for freedom of speech/expression can be found in various legislation.
Such as the European Convention On Human Rights enshrined by the Human Rights Act 1998 in Particular Article 10 'the right to freedom of expression' but subject to some qualifications.
Furthermore in The Public Order Act 1986 and the The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
However, these rights are not absolute and if someone lies or alleged to have made false reports etc.. Then that citizen can have redress in the courts in an action for defamation.
Furthermore MP's have Privilege of Freedom of speech either absolute or qualified.
2006-09-20 09:35:25 · answer #2 · answered by Sky 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
English law has always operated on the basis of, " you can do anything save that which the law specifically states that you cannot do". Those exceptions to implied freedom of speech include, slander, incitement to riot etc. There could also be a specific reference to it in one of the statutes.
This, by the way, is a much more intelligent way of going about things than the ridiculous 'Human Rights Act' which attempts to detail everthing that you can do . How illogical, there are almost an infinite number of things that you can do. I suppose that is why people are always claiming that HR have been breached. Endless case law and power passed from politicians to the lawyers.
2006-09-20 15:32:03 · answer #3 · answered by Veritas 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
UK.
You do not have the Freedom of Speech as such.
Examples
A D-Notice can be served against you if what you are saying effects state security. This prevents what you are saying being published and indeed can gag you publically, if you break it you can be imprisoned.
You cannot say anything that incites hatred racial or otherwise, fair enough in my opinion, however this means you don't have the right to free speech.
You cannot libel someone, without opening yourself up to civil prosecection.
You cannot stand in a public area and swear, curse or use profanities after being warned to stop by a police officer.
Speakers Corner is London is traditionally a place where anything can be said without fear of prosecution but this isn't true, try standing there reading out govt secrets, or breaking any law and the cops will whisk you away.
The list goes on, freedom of speech is nice ideal but is rarely ever practiced in a democracy. The reason is that democracy would not survive in any form if it was allowed sad to say.
2006-09-18 09:24:03 · answer #4 · answered by The Pirate Captain 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Depends who "us" is!
I understand that in the USA, there is some Constitutional Right of Freedom of Speech or expression, whilst in the UK, this apparent right comes from Common Law, where there is no ban on free speech per se, but neither is there any prohibition on allowing laws that may deem some words or expressions unlawful. Hence, words that may offend or cause a breach of the pace, defamation, and expressions of discrimination on basis of race, or religion, etc.
Still leaves a lot of leeway, and now even the media are proposing that they have an absolute right to say whatever they like, regardless of who might be insulted, defamed or hurt by their comments.
2006-09-18 21:43:48 · answer #5 · answered by Rolf 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes,there is a law called freedom of speech or expression but it does not exist anymore cos of some of the laws of some country,by watching what u say.
2006-09-18 09:13:05 · answer #6 · answered by Olajumoke M 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Freedom of speech or expression is practiced only in a democratic society so any country who are practicing the democracy will have freedom of speech and expression included in the constitution of their country. You have not mentioned which country you belong to. If you are in USA, UK, India, France, Spain, etc. you have your freedom of speech or expression.
2006-09-18 09:14:49 · answer #7 · answered by tnkumar1 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read the first amendment to the Bill of Rights. It actually doesn't give you the freedom to say anything you want to and claim free speech.
2006-09-18 10:01:42 · answer #8 · answered by deana_joe 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i studied bit of law in university. I believe yes, there is something called freedom of speech, but not freedom to slander or insult!!!
is like, if some 1 swore at say some1 mum, and he/she says its freedom of speech, then that person would feel angry i suppose.
So to sum up, there is certain limitation of what can be said, and the way it is said. The speech must not contain slander, racial comment, comments that can insult any religions belief.
PS. It depends on your contry legislation!!!!
2006-09-18 09:08:00 · answer #9 · answered by shamz 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
LOL Yeah...there are so many exceptions to the rule, however, that by the time it is all said and done you really dont have "freedom of speech or expression".
2006-09-18 09:06:10 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First Amendment to the US constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
This does not give you the right to libel, slander or to yell "fire" in a crowded theater.
2006-09-18 09:15:45 · answer #11 · answered by gtoacp 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋