ABSTRACT
Freedom of speech, therefore, is one of the most important constitutional rights that an individual enjoys. The overriding constitutional signifi cance of freedom of expression has been re-affi rmed by the European Court of Human Rights in Handyside v United Kingdom (1976) 1 EHRR 737:
JUDGMENT ‘The limits of permissible criticism are wider with regard to the government than in relation to a private citizen, or even a politician. In the democratic system the actions or omissions of the government must be subject to the close scrutiny not only of the legislative and judicial authorities but also of the press and public opinion.’
