United Kingdom

While protections for freedom of expression generally hold strong in the UK, recent developments justified on the grounds of national security are troubling. Overbroad surveillance powers undermine protections for whistleblowers, activists and journalists. Proposals to revise the Official Secret Acts threaten access to information,while calls for increased internet regulations and encryption restrictions have sent alarming signals to everyone working in the field. The vote to leave the European Union in 2016 has exacerbated xenophobia, and increased hate speech online and in media outlets has deepened concerns about a divisive press. Concentration of media ownership and the uncertain future of the UK’s legal framework for press self-regulation has led to a situation where the public’s right to access reliable information is regularly undermined.

Free expression groups welcome Supreme Court ruling on memoir
20.05.2015 6 min read

Free expression groups welcome Supreme Court ruling on memoir

Click here to go to article
ARTICLE 19 responds to Intelligence and Security Committee Report
12.03.2015 1 min read

ARTICLE 19 responds to Intelligence and Security Committee Report

Click here to go to article
UK: Cracking down on end-to-end encryption threatens free expression and right to privacy
13.01.2015 1 min read

UK: Cracking down on end-to-end encryption threatens free expression and right to privacy

Click here to go to article
09.10.2014 1 min read

ECHR essential for protecting free speech in UK

Click here to go to article
UK: Journalist sources must be protected
06.10.2014 1 min read

UK: Journalist sources must be protected

Click here to go to article
UK:  House of Lords Report Advises Restraint on Social Media Offences
29.07.2014 4 min read

UK: House of Lords Report Advises Restraint on Social Media Offences

Click here to go to article
UK: New Data Retention Bill is a False Emergency
14.07.2014 2 min read

UK: New Data Retention Bill is a False Emergency

Click here to go to article
UK: Miranda ruling fails to protect public interest journalism
19.02.2014 4 min read

UK: Miranda ruling fails to protect public interest journalism

Click here to go to article
UK: #dontspyonus mass surveillance campaign launched
11.02.2014 2 min read

UK: #dontspyonus mass surveillance campaign launched

Click here to go to article