Freedom of Expression

This is part of an article I wrote on Freedom of Expression, and the heading was 'Freedom of Expression governed by law", I am looking into various laws that puts restriction on Article 10 on the EHRC. here I am just putting in a short passage, probably one of the most vital international laws that gives you and I freedom to express our opinion, but surely freedom of expression is not as straight forward as it sounds!!!!

European Human Rights Convention, Article 10


1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.
2. the exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions, or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

Article 10 of the European Human Rights Convention guarantees freedom of expression and information without interference by public authorities and regardless of frontiers. This freedom, which has become of the essential parts of a democratic tradition, is an important promoter of human rights and, at the same time. By means of free and uninhibited communication, journalism should promote basic values and the knowledge essential for advancing democracy. So who is in need of protection – a particular individual whose privacy is under scrutiny by media, or the undefined public who is entitled to be extensively informed. Freedom for journalists is both an instance of a human right and a potential interference with human rights.