Eric Barendt News Today

Sedition laws sit at the crossroads of politics and society, and law and justice. The political nature of this “offence against the state” tests the limits of free speech a citizen can rightfully enjoy. India’s polity has changed since 1870, when Sedition was added as an offence under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to govern restive subjects of the British Crown. This stifling legislation, conceived as a colonial tool to incarcerate freedom fighters, continues to be quickly in...

Most people, both in the US and the UK, assume that words matter – that legal language in general and constitutional language in particular can effectively constrain the government.

The courts are the ultimate guardians of free speech, yet find it difficult to come to terms with free speech when critically...

Joe Raedle/Getty Images Discussions surrounding the defensibility of the decision have since gained momentum.  Insider spoke to two freedom of expression experts to gauge their opinions on the ruling.  Earlier this week, Facebooks Oversight Board announced its decision on the future of ex-president, Donald Trumps account. On Wednesday, the independent board ruled to uphold the social networks suspension of Trumps account but said the company must review its decis...

Did Facebooks Oversight Board make the right decision to uphold Trumps suspension? Two free speech experts weigh in. ztayeb@businessinsider.com (Zahra Tayeb) © Provided by Business Insider Former US President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Joe Raedle/Getty Images This week, Facebooks Oversight Board upheld the suspension of Donald Trumps Facebook account. Discussions surrounding the defensibility of the decision have since gained m...