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DEFEND FREE SPEECH
How people express their views – on social media, at protests or in everyday interactions – has become a battleground for arguments about who gets heard and who gets silenced.
But free speech is not something to be claimed by one side and denied to another.
Free speech protects our ability to challenge power, take part in public debate, protest, create art and share our views. Without it, our democracy is weakened.
It is a fundamental right, and it must be defended consistently, including for people we don’t agree with.
Will you join our campaign?
The Government must defend free speech consistently and transparently
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but it is not unlimited. It must be balanced with the rights of others to live safely and free from violence, intimidation and harassment.
The challenge is ensuring that any restrictions on speech are lawful, necessary and proportionate, protecting everyone’s right to express themselves alongside everyone’s right to live free from fear and intimidation.
Recently we’ve seen protesters arrested over chants and signs and some individuals barred from entering the UK because their speech was deemed to have crossed a line.
Liberty is calling on the Government to be transparent about how and why decisions like this are made and apply them consistently.
FREE SPEECH IS FOR EVERYONE
Free speech only truly exists if we also defend it for people expressing views we disagree with, even if that feels uncomfortable.
A commitment to free speech means defending the principle for everyone – and not just when we agree with what is being said.
If you agree, join our campaign today.
