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Twitter Jokes: Free Speech On Trial

Posted by Soulskill on from the 140-characters-of-terror dept.

An anonymous reader writes "On 6 January 2010, Paul Chambers typed a flippant tweet that would turn his life upside-down for the next two and a half years. As the courts repeatedly showed a lack of common sense and an ignorance of technology, for a long time it looked as though the right to free speech in the UK was under very real threat. Now that it's over, we can step back and take a detailed look at how such an insane case even came to trial. This article delves deep into the the Twitter Joke Trial: how it happened, what it means, and the epic struggle to balance civility and civil liberties."

3 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. The comment in question. by khasim · · Score: 5, Informative

    Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. Youâ(TM)ve got a week and a bit to get your shit together otherwise Iâ(TM)m blowing the airport sky high!!

    Just because it is a bit buried in TFA.

  2. Re:Get a fact checker by sir_eccles · · Score: 4, Informative

    European Convention on Human Rights to which the UK is a signatory includes the right to free speech.

  3. No it doesn't by bradley13 · · Score: 4, Informative

    "European Convention on Human Rights to which the UK is a signatory includes the right to free speech."

    Article 9 states (bold is mine): "Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others."

    Public order? Morals? That's a whole set up loopholes you could drive a fleet of trucks through.

    --
    Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.