Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the European Court of Human Rights is continuing to protect freedom of expression and freedom of the press; and if not, whether they will give examples of where this has not been the case.

Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECtHR) makes clear that everyone, including the press, has the right to freedom of expression. It also makes clear that this right carries duties and responsibilities and consequently can be restricted for the reasons set out in Article 10 where prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society.

The Government accepts that the ECtHR sometimes has to make difficult judgments as to whether an inference with the right to freedom of expression is justified or as to how the ECtHR balances different rights.

In the Coalition Agreement the Government agreed that the obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, including Article 10, will continue to be enshrined in UK law.