ARTICLE
Freedom of expression and the palladium of British liberties, 1650–2000: A review essay
Caroline Shaw,
Corresponding Author
Caroline Shaw
Bates College
Correspondence
Caroline Shaw, Department of History, Bates College.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this author
Caroline Shaw,
Corresponding Author
Caroline Shaw
Bates College
Correspondence
Caroline Shaw, Department of History, Bates College.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this author
First published: 06 October 2020
Abstract
London has a reputation for being the “libel capital of the world.” Seemingly arcane defamation laws continue to constrain free speech. At the same time, Britain has long been celebrated as a pioneer of freedom, being one of the first to eliminate censorship and enshrine the liberty of the press. This article surveys the extensive literature on freedom of speech, newspapers, and censorship from the late-17th century through the 20th. By drawing this scholarship together, the author emphasizes long-standing continuities in debates over freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the place of defamation law in determining the limits of these dearly held liberties. It is in this context that the notorious libel laws begin to look less obscure and, indeed, more central to negotiations over civil liberty since the 18th century. When examined in this light, Britain looks far less exceptional; its struggles over the boundaries of free speech are at the core of public debates across the globe.
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