Freedom of Speech, 2nd Edition

• Examines topical issues including free speech and freedom of the press, and the application of free speech principles to the Internet
• Rich comparative treatment of six jurisdictions will aid practitioners dealing with questions on which little or no English authority exists
• Uniquely examines the whole field of free speech law from a comparative perspective
• Confronts difficult philosophical questions in a clear manner and makes them relevant to treatment of the legal issues
• New chapters on Free Speech and the Internet, Free speech in the context of media, Free speech and copyright, and Commercial speech reflect developments in case law

New to this edition

• New chapters on Free Speech and the Internet, Free speech in the media, Free speech and copyright, and Commercial speech reflect new developments and case law

This is a fully revised and updated new edition of the classic work first published in 1985. There have been many important developments since the first edition, including enactment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Canada in 1982, the impact of the European Human Rights Convention, and the consideration by English courts of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

Social and cultural changes mean that free speech claims are being made in novel contexts: to challenge the validity of bans on tobacco advertising, to publish 'kiss and tell' stories about celebrities, and to resist attempts to regulate the Internet. Barendt considers the meaning and scope of freedom of speech. How far do free speech and expression clauses protect pornography, commercial advertising, and public meetings on the streets? Does this freedom cover desecration of a national flag? Does it include nude dancing?

Eric Barendt discusses the legal protection of free speech in countries including England, the United States (including recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court), Canada, Germany, and under the European Human Rights Convention. He examines the varied approaches of different legal systems and constitutional traditions to balancing free speech and freedom of the press against rights to reputation and privacy, and to copyright and explores the case law in light of the philosophical and political arguments for free speech guarantees.

Readership: Scholars and students of civil liberties, human rights and freedom of speech, politics and media, practitioners specialising in human rights/free speech.