Defending free speech

The contrast between the US and European standards of free speech is demonstrated in the language of the First Amendment, compared to the language of the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The First Amendment of the US Constitution says: "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..." The UN Covenant, on the other hand, says in Article 19: Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary...