Subjects:

Human Rights and Civil Liberties

Contents:

I. Introduction

II. The case-law relating to freedom of expression

A. Media freedom

1. Judgments of the Court

2. Decisions and reports of the Commission and the Court

B. Regulating broadcasting

1. Judgments of the Court

2. Decisions and reports of the Commission and the Court

C. Access to information

1. Judgments of the Court

2. Decisions of the Commission and the Court

D. Commercial statements

1. Judgments of the Court

2. Decisions of the Commission and the Court

E. Protection of the general interest

1. Judgments of the Court

2. Decisions and reports of the Commission and the Court

F. Protection of other individual rights

1. Judgments of the Court

2. Decisions of the Commission and the Court

G. Maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary

1. Judgments of the Court

2. Decisions of the Commission and the Court

III. Main judgments, decisions and reports

1. Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights

2. Decisions and reports of the European Commission and Court of Human Rights

Index

The European Court of Human Rights has always defended the idea that freedom of expression has an essential role to play in a democratic society, helping to foster the development of an open, tolerant society in which human rights are respected. Freedom of expression is not absolute and unconditional, however; there are certain limits which must be respected.

How can racist, xenophobic propaganda be proscribed without trespassing on individual freedom of expression? How can a suspect's right to be presumed innocent be protected without placing restrictions on the public's right to information? Where should we draw the line concerning the criticism of politicians by the media?

It is by answering these and many similar questions over a period of almsost fifty years that the European Court of Human Rights has developed its case-law in respect of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, presented in summary form in this book.