Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book shows Nordic and Baltic practices in the new media era and the articles that follow combine the different levels of protection, national, regional and global, under the same theme. It discusses Intermediary liability for online user comments under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The ECHR is often described by the Strasbourg Court as a “living instrument”, which means that it should be interpreted in light of present day conditions. The book contributes to the existing debate and focuses on the dialogue between national courts and legislators and the ECtHR in Strasbourg. It provides in-depth country by country analysis on the freedom of expression in Nordic and Baltic countries and in the specific context of new media. Contemporary democratic societies are facing an unprecedented challenge to balance freedom of expression against the right to privacy in the new media environment.