Open AccessFreedom of Expression: European and Australian Perspectives
Author(s) -
Michael J. Longo,
Pavel Molek
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of european studies/australian and new zealand journal of european studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1837-2147
pISSN - 1836-1803
DOI - 10.30722/anzjes.vol6.iss1.15143
Subject(s) - freedom of expression , offensive , salience (neuroscience) , jurisdiction , expression (computer science) , scope (computer science) , limiting , political science , law and economics , law , sociology , human rights , economics , psychology , mechanical engineering , management , computer science , cognitive psychology , programming language , engineering
This article explores the legal frameworks supporting the right to freedom of expression in Europe and Australia. Whereas in Europe there are overlapping protections of this right embedded within highly visible, legally binding instruments, the Australian protection rests on a judicial constitutional implication. Despite fundamental differences in salience, visibility and scope, it appears that neither jurisdiction is averse to limiting the right to free speech in certain circumstances, for instance when expressions are deemed gratuitously offensive. It is evident that the limits imposed on the freedom of expression both in Europe and in Australia determine the nature of the right. Whether or not the multiple layers of legal protection in Europe provide a bulwark against the erosion of the right to speech in Europe, this article reveals the comparative fragility of the constitutional implication in Australia.