LAA327 Media Law
Large Group Session 1 – Freedom of Speech
• Key point – what does it mean?
• Unis centre point of debate
• Long history – goes back to Ancient Greeks
• No strict legal definition except in Art 10
• Speech and expression used interchangeably (normally have different
defs)
• Why important? – necessary for democracy
• Press provide vital watchdog role – watches public or public figures for
public
• Reveal potential stories – important
• Gossip stories – not important
• Freedom of speech restricted heavily in undemocratic countries
(dictatorships)
• Mill – harm principle: criminalise or prevent freedom of speech if it
causes harm to others (in liberal countries)
• Marketplace of ideas
• Social media algorithms based on logic – push content based on what is
viewed; one sided viewership to confirm certain ideas
, • Certain press companies support certain ideas – readers support those
ideas and you know that because they read the content
• Uniquely human to speak and engage in debate
• If speech restricted self-fulfillment taken away
• Can take away others rights, i.e. racist person vs race targeted
• Cannot have democracy without freedom of speech
• To protect others
• Important role
• Where draw line?
• Media law = big topic
• Official Secrets Act
• Sedition – anything to bring down the State; overthrow Gov
• Restrict freedom of speech in E&W
• Social consequences – social censure
• ECHR
• Qualified right
• Para 2 important responsibilities
• Written by british lawyers
• Protect impartiality of the system
• Various stages
•
2
Large Group Session 1 – Freedom of Speech
• Key point – what does it mean?
• Unis centre point of debate
• Long history – goes back to Ancient Greeks
• No strict legal definition except in Art 10
• Speech and expression used interchangeably (normally have different
defs)
• Why important? – necessary for democracy
• Press provide vital watchdog role – watches public or public figures for
public
• Reveal potential stories – important
• Gossip stories – not important
• Freedom of speech restricted heavily in undemocratic countries
(dictatorships)
• Mill – harm principle: criminalise or prevent freedom of speech if it
causes harm to others (in liberal countries)
• Marketplace of ideas
• Social media algorithms based on logic – push content based on what is
viewed; one sided viewership to confirm certain ideas
, • Certain press companies support certain ideas – readers support those
ideas and you know that because they read the content
• Uniquely human to speak and engage in debate
• If speech restricted self-fulfillment taken away
• Can take away others rights, i.e. racist person vs race targeted
• Cannot have democracy without freedom of speech
• To protect others
• Important role
• Where draw line?
• Media law = big topic
• Official Secrets Act
• Sedition – anything to bring down the State; overthrow Gov
• Restrict freedom of speech in E&W
• Social consequences – social censure
• ECHR
• Qualified right
• Para 2 important responsibilities
• Written by british lawyers
• Protect impartiality of the system
• Various stages
•
2
