Saturday, January 11, 2014

Ytringsfrihet

Freedom of speech and freedom of the press in Denmark are ensured by the constitution:

Anyone is entitled to in print, writing and speech to publish his or hers thoughts, yet under responsibility to the courts. Censorship and other preventive measures can never again be introduced.

The phrase under responsibility to the courts provides the main concept of the freedom: the constitution grants one the freedom to say whatever they please, but does not protect them from being punished for doing so. The courts generally set wider boundaries for what is deemed inappropriate for the press or in a political debate than for civil citizens.

The major punishable acts are child pornography, libel, blasphemy, and hate speech/racism, which are restricted by the Danish penal code.

The Muslims have a love/hate relationship with this ytringsfrihet or freedom of speech.