Article 10 Flashcards
Step 1: What is Article 10?
Article 10 is the right of freedom of expression. This is a qualified right so the state can interfere with the right so long as it’s justified under Article 10 (2)
Step 2: How does Article 10 relate to the HRA 1998?
s.7 and s.6
s.7 (b) HRA 1998 allows a person who claims a public authority has acted unlawfully can rely on the Convention rights or rights concerned in any legal proceedings, with s.6 (3) defining a public authority as including (a) a court or tribunal, and (b) any person certain of whose functions are functions of a public nature
Step 3: How does Article 10 relate to the HRA 1998?
s.2
s.2 (1) HRA however, makes it possible for a court of tribunal determining a question which has arisen in connection with a Convention right must take into account any judgements of the ECtHR
Step 4: Article 10 (1) protects the freedom to…
- hold opinions
- impart information and ideas
- recieve informaiton and ideas
- Guerra v Italy: the state is not under a positive obligation to provide information. But this restriction has been overcome in UK law as seen in Sarah’s Law, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 2018
Step 5: Under Article 10 (1) some forms of expression are given a high value
high value = narrow margin of appreciation (ie. no wiggle room)
- Political expression - political debate and free elections are part of the foundations of a democratic system. The press provides an important role and should be able to scrutinise the government
- R v BBC
- Public interest expression
- Steel and Morris v UK
- Sunday Times v UK
Step 6: Under Article 10 (1) some forms of expression are given a low value
low value = wide margin (ie. more wiggle room)
- Artistic expression - some countries give a higher value to artistic expression than others, therefore the ECtHR applies a wide margin of appreciation
- Otto-Preminger-Institut v Austria
- Incitement of hatred - an individual cannot argue a violation under Article 10 for thier right to express ‘hate speech’ as Article 17 deals with hate speech and states one human right cannot be used to undermine another human right. But incitement of hatred can be dealt with under Article 10
- Garaudy v France
Step 7: Freedom of expression under UK Law
Freedom of expression is regarded highly in the UK
Some information regarding the state is protected under the Official Secrets Act 1989, but Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows access to state information
Contempt of Court Act 1981 limits expression in the courtroom that could undermine the right to a fair trial (Article 6)
s.12 HRA places importance on artistic, journalistic and literary expression and forces to courts to consider Article 10 even if they aren’t claiming under it
Step 8: Freedom of expression under UK Law
Case Law
- Political expression
- R (on the application of pro Life Alliance) v BBC
- Public protest
- Laporte
- Munim Abdul and ors v DPP
Step 9: Article 10 (2)
Article 10(2) contains the conditions that the state must meet if they wish to limit this right. Any limitation must be:
- prescribed by law
- have a legitimate aim
- be necessary in a democratic society
Step 10: Article 10 (2)
Prescribed by law
ie. there is a law that allows for it to be taken away. Must be clear, precise, predictable and not be arbitrary
Laws which may justify interfernce with this right
- Obscene Publications Act 1959 and 1964
- Theatres Act 1968
- Broadcasting Act 1990
- Protection from Harassment Act 1997
- Malicious Communication Act 1998
- R v Gibson - outraging public decency (foetus earrings)
- R v Howell - breach of the peace
Step 10: Article 10 (2)
Prescribed by law
Public Order Act 1986
Public Order Act 1986
s.1 riot, s.2 violent disorder, s.3 affray, s.4 causing fear or provocation of violence, s.4A causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress, and s.5 causing harassment, alarm or distress
Step 12: Article 10 (2)
Prescribed by law: Trespass to land
s.1 Public Order Act 1986
Riot
12+ people use/threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose and their combines conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety
Step 12: Article 10 (2)
Prescribed by law: Trespass to land
s.2 Public Order Act 1986
Violent disorder
3+ people use/threaten unlawful violence and their combined conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety
Step 12: Article 10 (2)
Prescribed by law: Trespass to land
s.3 Public Order Act 1986
affray
1 person uses/threatens unlawful violence to another and their conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety
Step 12: Article 10 (2)
Prescribed by law: Trespass to land
s.4 Public Order Act 1986
causing fear or provocation of violence
intent to cause a person harassment, alarm, or distress, Ising threatening behaviour, or displays which are threatening. Intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence will be used against him or another or be provoked