# Freedom of Expression
This year
2023
Hate speech law 'not radical', says minister as senators highlight free speech 'chilling effect'
The minister said she wanted to be clear that no one has a right not to be offended.
Last year
2022
New laws on hate speech includes provision to protect freedom of expression, says minister
Government has been called on to ensure new laws comply with principles of proportionality and necessity.
All time
Junior Foreign Affairs Minister can't say if UN job offered to Zappone will be filled
The DFA has said a decision on the next steps will not be taken until next month.
Fianna Fáil Senator says Zappone should turn down UN special envoy offer
The former minister is to be made a UN envoy.
European court rejects man's claim he should be able to use Nazi picture in his blog
The man argued that his conviction for the use of an image of Heinrich Himmler interfered with his right to freedom of expression.
Independent Newspapers appeal over Monica Leech €1.2 million award upheld by European court
The judgement was given by a chamber of seven judges.
Freedom to preach "Islam is satanic" from a church pulpit is hailed as "a victory for the gospel"
“It is not the task of the criminal law to censor offensive utterances.”
The cartoons of Prophet Mohammed published 10 years ago today are still making waves
One foreign affairs columnist said, “At many media outlets it has created a fear of dealing with Muslim perceptions of taboos”.
The 'gay cake' row and freedom of speech: Being offended isn't a right
The trouble with trying to put limits on free speech and the freedom of conscience is that you inevitably wind up tying yourself in knots.
"Mr O'Brien is a media baron" - RTÉ fights action against Denis O'Brien
The businessman is seeking an injunction against the broadcast of an RTÉ news item.
Author has to pay €53k to in-laws after defaming them in a book
Paying your mother-in-law €20,000 must sting.
Opinion: Islam must be treated like Christianity in Europe – accepted, revered and lambasted
It is up to moderate people to have an open debate about religion and society. Otherwise, extremists will have it for us.
British porn enthusiasts stage face-sitting protest against new law
Some campaigners say the new law violates sexual freedom and is misogynistic.
This man got a 13-year prison sentence for pouring paint over a statue
Turkish man Murat Vural had been given the sentence after pouring paint over statues of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
Opinion: The killing and imprisonment of journalists should concern us all
Worrying press arrests in Ferguson and the grisly murder of James Foley underlines it is in all of our interests to ensure journalists can report without fear.
Opinion: Australian gagging order has major implications for press freedom
A censorship order sought and secured by the Australian government sets a precedent for all common law countries – including Ireland.
Complaints about RTÉ's Panti apology have been rejected by the BAI
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland said that making an apology was an editorial decision and not one for them to decide upon.
Column: Louise O’Keeffe ruling shows Ireland's school patronage system is unworkable
The State is responsible for the rights of students in the national school system even if the schools are run by patron bodies, writes Peter Ferguson.
Column: Fred Phelps’ hateful legacy is a gift to freedom and democracy
Many people loathed the Westboro Baptist Church’s message, but the USA rightfully protected their right to be seen and heard, writes Aaron McKenna.
Turkish government heavily criticised after passing "Orwellian" internet laws
The new law will allow the Turkish government to block access to websites and request users’ communications and traffic information from providers without a court order.
Column: Ignorance, avoidance, distortion – media coverage of the Corrib gas project has failed
The Irish media has failed to properly report on the local community’s resistance to Shell in Mayo. The reason? Journalism has fewer and fewer resources to filter the truth from the propaganda, Harry Browne writes.
Column: Living for love, dying because of hate – the rising tide of homophobia in Africa
Jean-Claude Roger Mbebe died an untimely death last week, after his family allegedly prevented him from receiving necessary medical treatment. He had been previously been convicted of “homosexuality and attempted homosexuality” and imprisoned.
Aaron McKenna: Regulate social media? No – we need a free speech law
There are troubling restrictions on our free expression in Ireland. We should follow the US and give it explicit protection – even if that means some vitriol.
Burma to allow daily private newspapers
It will be the first time since 1964 that non-state media will be allowed to publish news in the country.
Internet freedom not to be curbed: UN telecoms head
A review the 24-year-old UN telecom regulations kicked off today amid insistence that plans to control internet freedoms are “unfounded”.
Burma's government ends direct media censorship
Under the new rules, journalists will no longer have to submit their work to state censors before publication.
Read Me: Ai Weiwei and me
Alison Klayman, director of the new documentary about controversial Chinese artist Ai Weiwei tells TheJournal.ie that his future is still very uncertain.
England’s top judge to hear appeal in ‘Twitter joke trial’
Paul Chambers is appealing his conviction over an angry tweet in which he joked he would blow an airport “sky high”.
VIDEO: Controversial Jacob Zuma painting defaced at gallery
The Spear depicting Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed.
'Vital' role of journalists stressed ahead of World Press Freedom Day
The National Union of Journalists and Amnesty International Ireland joined together today to remember journalists who have been killed during the course of their work.
France's face veil ban to take effect next month
The banning of some religious dress in European countries have drawn criticism by human rights groups – who say the laws discriminate against Muslims and impede an individual’s freedom of expression.
