Does Freedom of Speech still exist in the UK?

Question

Or does it only exist for certain groups and religions?

Answer 1

No. We do not have freedom of speech or anything else.

We are the most regulated country outside of North Korea with cameras watching EVERY movement and with people who will complain at the slightest sleight that their rights are being abused.

I am a white heterosexual male who now is considered the lowest of the low as somebody who should not have crawled out from under a stone and I bet I get reported and given a violation for saying all that because we do not even have freedom on this web site where mealy mouthed left wing/right wing/ liberals shout about the smallest thing which might cause offence to murderers, terrorists, paedophiles, thugs, ..............etc etc and I have not even mentioned the ones I dare not.

Answer 2

What utter nonsense I have been reading. Freedom of speech exists in the UK and continues to exist. That is why the BNP are able to rally on and on about their awfully xenophobic platform in public without police intervention, it is why religious preachers, Christian, Mormons, Jehovahs Witnesses etc are able to preach in public, it is why you are able to say what you want to say when you want to say it.

However, in every democracy, there is a limit to what you are free to say. You are not allowed to say anything that would be a stain on the character of a person if it is not true, similarly, you are not allowed to say anything that may cause a person harassment, alarm or distress.

We are still able to make jokes about religions and criticise religions. Just because people don't read the laws but instead make up the laws or read it the way they want it to be read, in order to say how bad the government is and how it was better in the good old days. The 'good old days' were the days where ethnic minorities were second class citizens, where women too, were treated as property, where people were slaves and people could act and say the most utterly disgusting comments and get away with it.

Society has moved on and we have a duty to all, to ensure that our comments and speech as well as our actions are not offensive to those that are subject of them. Just as you would not like being bad mouthed or lies being spread about your opinions or beliefs, so too are those of the ethnic minorities you seem to believe are overly protected by the law.

Rubbish! The law applies to all religions, to all people, to all races, not just a few, not just a couple, but to all.

We are freer than most other countries, that is fact, but we must never forget that we too have a responsibility to treat that freedom with respect and to use it responsibly to ensure that all people are able to say what they want to say without unduly offending another to such a degree that they are hurt by what was said.

Britain is not a police state, it is still a very free country because practice and tradition have allowed the courts to recognise these freedoms as being 'natural rights' and 'natural justice'. If you feel that your freedom to rant on about ethnic minorities or religions is being held back, consider it from a different perspective and think about how it would feel if you were the subject of those comments.

You'd be lying if you'd say you wouldn't take offence or were not alarmed or distressed at some of the things people are saying nowadays.

Answer 3

Technically, freedom of speech has never really existed. It has always been illegal to say certain things in the UK...blasphemy....racial epiphets...etc

The use of words is particularly interesting in the English language though because it is such a fast changing language. French has hardly changed at all in the last 500 years whereas the English spoken 500 years ago would be very difficult to understand today.

Given the constant change and adaption it is easy to see why people would feel that they are restricted in choosing language, when in fact they are empowered by speaking one of the most expressive and adaptable languages in the world.

Answer 4

of course it does, i say what i want no mandate was ever given
to the politicians to form the"political correctness club"
its only the the masses have been brainwashed to believe
that they cant say what they like,
look at the hysteria over Jade goodie, shes not a racist,
she was just set up by the media but now the PC brigade are
making mountains out of a molehill.
Even the police are getting involved , this must be stupid,
with england sinking in the mire with all types of crime
police will waste time investigating Jade goodie,
She cant be found guilty and sent to jail because the cells are full
CARRY ON SAYING WHAT YOU LIKE as long as you dont offend anyone

Answer 5

Sadly NO !!!!

Laws that set-out to "protect ME" (an ethnic minority ) do so only by "oppressing YOU" and in my view, that can NEVER, EVER BE JUSTIFIED.

Such laws can only lead to a backlash.

If citizens with "moderate views" are afraid, due to "PC" and legislation, to express those views, then extremists will prevail.

Please note that I have NEVER been discriminated against or abused because of my ethnicity - I guess, largely due to my attitude - I live in England, GREAT Britain and therefore observe British customs and values - those who do not adopt British values are UNWELCOME guests and DO NOT belong here.

I'm pro-European, I have friends of all shades and colours and religions - AND they all seem to think like me !

It therefore follows that legislation is being driven by "extreme" minorities.

It's time for the British public to say ENOUGH is ENOUGH !!!

Answer 6

I don't think there has ever been complete freedom of speech in the UK. If there was true freedom of speech everyone would be free to encourage paedophillia, regicide etc, without fear of action by the police.

Answer 7

if you think freedom of speech exist in the UK look up section four of the public order act this piece of utter rubbish give the haves the power to get you arrested if they dont like what you say !

Answer 8

I feel it only exists for certain groups and religions! Not fair but no one cares!

Answer 9

Totally and uterly - freedom of speech exists - You were able to ask this question and others reply. That is freedom of speech and its very rear in the world.

Answer 10

If true freedom of speech existed, it would do so for everyone, no matter how against the grain their opinions were.

Sir, I disagree with your statement, but I will fight to the death for your right to make it