Freedom of Speech in Practice

Controversial Applications of Law and Theory

Anthony Gray

This book considers the application of free speech principles in controversial contexts discussing United States law and equivalent law in Europe, Canada and Australia. Anthony Gray examines the extent to which speech of public sector employees is and should be protected. He tackles the difficult question of hate speech and the degree to which regulation of it has been permitted, and should be permitted. The growing controversy of speech in a university setting is discussed along with the roles campuses play in fostering intellectual debate which democracies depend on. Lastly, Gray looks at free speech issues at stake in the exponential growth of online activity and analyzes questions the of liability these tech companies have and their role as facilitators of mass communication, to what extent does the first amendment even apply, and the potential of the internet to support democratic traditions. Overall, Gray finds that in these several key areas, free speech rights are not as strongly protected as they should be. Courts have often bowed to decision makers balancing away free speech rights in favor of other objectives and instead need to re-assert the importance of free speech in these disparate contexts.

Lexington Books

Pages: 278 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4985-9771-5 • Hardback • October 2019 • $95.00 • (£73.00)

978-1-4985-9772-2 • eBook • October 2019 • $90.00 • (£69.00)

Subjects: Law / Comparative

Freedom of Speech in Practice

Controversial Applications of Law and Theory

Hardback

eBook

Summary

This book considers the application of free speech principles in controversial contexts discussing United States law and equivalent law in Europe, Canada and Australia. Anthony Gray examines the extent to which speech of public sector employees is and should be protected. He tackles the difficult question of hate speech and the degree to which regulation of it has been permitted, and should be permitted. The growing controversy of speech in a university setting is discussed along with the roles campuses play in fostering intellectual debate which democracies depend on. Lastly, Gray looks at free speech issues at stake in the exponential growth of online activity and analyzes questions the of liability these tech companies have and their role as facilitators of mass communication, to what extent does the first amendment even apply, and the potential of the internet to support democratic traditions. Overall, Gray finds that in these several key areas, free speech rights are not as strongly protected as they should be. Courts have often bowed to decision makers balancing away free speech rights in favor of other objectives and instead need to re-assert the importance of free speech in these disparate contexts.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 278 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4985-9771-5 • Hardback • October 2019 • $95.00 • (£73.00)

978-1-4985-9772-2 • eBook • October 2019 • $90.00 • (£69.00)

Subjects: Law / Comparative

Author

Anthony Gray is professor of law at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Public Servants and Speech

Chapter 2: Hate Speech and Holocaust Denial

Chapter 3: Free Speech in a University Setting

Chapter 4: Reflection on Existing Case Law on Free Speech in Universities

Chapter 5: Free Speech and the Internet

Reviews

In this timely book, Gray provides an interesting and wide-ranging survey of comparative approaches to freedom of expression. He explores the challenge of protection and regulation in variety of contexts—including online and in the modern university—which are likely to be of interest to a broad audience.
— Rosalind Dixon, The University of New South Wales

Freedom of Speech in Practice

Controversial Applications of Law and Theory

Anthony Gray

Freedom of Speech in Practice

Controversial Applications of Law and Theory

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