Marvellous: Britain gets a “First Amendment”
Posted on October 12, 2006
Americans must find the ongoing role of the House of Lords in the government of Britain to be puzzling at best and a total anachronism at worst. Yet it is not so. In recent years, the Lords have been tenacious defenders of once-treasured English liberties. They resisted tooth and nail the ban on hunting with hounds, for instance.
They have just done it again. English libel law was some of the most insane and restricting in the world and greatly restricted the ability of the press to keep Brits informed about evils in their midst. But the Law Lords (the legal committee of the House of Lords) have just thrown all that into a cocked hat. They are the final court of appeal in Britain and they have just ruled that papers can print more or less what they like as long as it is in the public interest.
An inspiring last-ditch victory for free speech. Details here.
Interesting that it took an American firm to pursue the matter through all the courts until it got to the Law Lords. There are still lots of Americans who don’t surrender their liberties without a struggle. A pity that there are not more Brits like that.
Above post crossposted from Tongue Tied
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3 Responses to “Marvellous: Britain gets a “First Amendment””
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We have to much liberty in the United States since we have the right to work against the public interest. The problem of coarse is tendency for extremism in both directions. Look at the IRS revoking tax exempt status from non profit organization who are just exercising their right of free speech.
1. What is “too much liberty”? As long as I don’t infringe upon anyone else’s rights, what right do you have to stop me from doing anything I please?
2. Who defines the “public interest”? Don’t we have the right to disagree with that person/group?
JM,
By public interest I meant bringing harm to ourselves and others. I tried to make your second point also.