Country: United Kingdom of

Great Britain and Northern

Ireland
Name: Terzo Sara
Committee: Social Humanitarian
and Cultural Committee

Topic: Freedom of Expression for the Media & Journalism

Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to
articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, legal sanction or being
punished in any way . The right to freedom of expression has been recognised as a human right
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law by the United
Nations. Many countries have constitutional law that protects free speech. Terms like free
speech, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression are used in political discourse. Freedom of
expression and freedom of speech are fundamental human rights. The United Kingdom was
ranked 35 out of 161 countries in the 2022 Global Expression Report. However, there is
difference between freedom of speech and belittling, lying, cyberbullying and defamation. This
actively demonstrates that there must be law protecting not just journalists,but people they write
about. The United Kingdom has a history of stories about journalists and their free will;one of
those many stories is the death of Princess Diana
Freedom of Information
The press provides the platform for a multiplicity of voices to be heard. At national, regional and
local level, activist and guardian as well as educator, entertainer and contemporary chronicler.
Journalists and journalism are a key source of information. Therefore, the information they share
and transmit must be accurate and reliable. Journalists must be safe, free and protected so they
can do their work according to standards. Each year in the UK, Safer Internet Day encourages
focus on the safest ways to use the internet and emphasises warning signs for unhealthy online
activity. The nationwide day aims to celebrate the fantastic ways that technology benefits our
lives and encourages us all to develop safer online practices.
Journalists in the UK are already subject to a wide range of legal restrictions. These include libel
laws, official secrets and anti-terrorism legislation, the law of contempt and other legal
restrictions on court reporting, the law of confidence and development of privacy and data
protection actions, intellectual property laws, legislation regulating public order, trespass,
harassment, anti-discrimination and obscenity.
History of Journalism in UK
Newspapers have always been the primary medium of journalists since 1700, with magazines
added in the 18th century, radio and television in the 20th century, and the Internet in the 21st
century. London has always been the main center of British journalism, followed by Edinburgh,
Belfast, Dublin, and regional cities. In 1622 the first English-language weekly magazine, "A
current of General News" was published and distributed in England. Favorite topics included
wars, military affairs, diplomacy, court business and gossip. By the 1500s, printing was was
restricted only to English subjects. The Crown imposed strict controls on the distribution of
religious or political printed materials. In 1538, Henry VIII of England decreed that all printed
matter had to be approved by the Privy Council before publication. Mary, Queen of Scots used
the trade herself to control it.
Journalists and journalism in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
UK not only has a rich history of journalism, but even today has capable, well-known journalists
who work for many portals, newspapers, etc.
BBC journalists: Mark Austin – former BBC journalist and Sports Correspondent for BBC
News,Khalid Aziz, Gordon Clough,Roger Cook
ITV: Kaye Adams – journalist on Central Television; later presenter on Scottish TV, Terry Lloyd
Andrea Benfield, Sangeeta Bhabra, Sally Jones, Piers Morgan