Freedom of Expression
Should our democracy permit hate speech?
Democracies believe that free expression is essential to their societies. Free expression, they argue, distinguishes them from non-democratic countries. Even democracies, however, limit or prohibit certain kinds of speech they consider harmful or dangerous. An example of this tension between free expression and other democratic values is hate speech—speech that promotes hatred or violence against other persons or groups in society.
Lessons
- English
- Lietuviskai (Lithuanian)
- Македонски (Macedonian)
- Na Russkom Yizake (Russian)
- Romana (Romanian)
- Srpski (Serbian)
- Ukrainskoyu movoyu (Ukrainian)
Resources
Articles and Papers
- Congressional Research Service, “First Amendment: Annotations, p. 7, Freedom of Expression: The Philosophical Basis,” The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation (Washington, DC: Library of Congress, 1992; updated 2000 by FindLaw.com)
- “European Convention on Human Rights: Article 10, Freedom of Expression” (Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 1950)
- “Russian Constitution: Chapter Two, Rights and Freedoms of Man and Citizen, Article 29”
- Lidice Memorial
- “Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 19.” United Nations, 1948
- Willoughby, Ian, “Creator Explains Thinking Behind Controversial Lidice Web “Game,’” Current Affairs (September 6, 2006)
Activities and Websites
- Article 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression
- "Cases and Resources: Chapter 37: Freedom of Speech," Street Law: A Course in Practical Law. 7th Edition. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill (2001)
Audio Articles
- Faith and Free Speech Clash at Funerals," National Public Radio. (November 2, 2007)
- "Is Hanging a Noose a Hate Crime?" National Public Radio. (October 18, 2007)
- Responding to Racism and Hate Crimes," National Public Radio. (October 23, 2007)
