Tags: Freedom of Expression
Blasphemy laws exist in 69 countries, report finds
Posted: Wed, 13 Nov 2019
Sixty-nine countries have blasphemy laws and penalties have hardened in parts of the world in recent years, a report has found. Read More »
Champion open debate to tackle extremism, says commission
Posted: Mon, 07 Oct 2019
Protecting and encouraging democratic debate is "vital" in efforts to tackle extremism, the counter-extremism commissioner has said. Read More »
Chancellor urges caution around use of word ‘Islamophobia’
Posted: Thu, 03 Oct 2019
The chancellor Sajid Javid has said he does not use the word 'Islamophobia' because of its capacity to shut down criticism of religion. Read More »
NSS urges advertising regulators not to defer to religion
Posted: Fri, 13 Sep 2019
The NSS has urged two advertising regulation bodies to protect free expression on religion as they reconsider their rules on offence. Read More »
NSS: free speech must be protected in hate crime review
Posted: Fri, 06 Sep 2019
The NSS has urged the Law Commission to protect free speech on religion as it reviews hate crime laws in England and Wales. Read More »
‘Islamophobia’ definition curtails free speech, campaigners warn
Posted: Thu, 22 Aug 2019
The widespread adoption of a proposed definition of 'Islamophobia' risks curtailing free speech, a collection of essays has warned. Read More »
NSS urges government to review its language on blasphemy laws
Posted: Thu, 15 Aug 2019
The NSS has asked the government to review its stance on blasphemy laws amid concern that ministers only criticise their "misuse". Read More »
Government admits it’s struggled to define extremism
Posted: Tue, 23 Jul 2019
The government has "struggled" to define extremism, the home secretary has said. Read More »
Employee sacked for sharing clip mocking religion is reinstated
Posted: Fri, 19 Jul 2019
A man who was sacked by Asda for sharing a video of the comedian Billy Connolly mocking religion on social media has been reinstated. Read More »
BBC dilutes protections for religious ideas after NSS lobbying
Posted: Mon, 08 Jul 2019
New BBC guidelines have watered down some protections for religious ideas but still place a premium on depictions of Muhammad. Read More »
Government online harm plans could curb free expression, NSS warns
Posted: Wed, 03 Jul 2019
Government plans to require the censorship of "hateful" content online could act as "a de facto blasphemy law", the NSS has warned. Read More »
Asda sacks man for sharing comic sketch mocking religion
Posted: Thu, 27 Jun 2019
The supermarket chain Asda has sacked a man for sharing a sketch of the comedian Billy Connolly mocking religion on social media. Read More »
Council rejects Islamophobia definition after NSS lobbying
Posted: Wed, 29 May 2019
Lancashire County Council has rejected a proposed definition of 'Islamophobia' after the NSS lobbied against its adoption. Read More »
Islamophobia definition “unfit for purpose”, say campaigners
Posted: Wed, 15 May 2019
The NSS has signed an open letter criticising the "uncritical and hasty adoption" of a proposed definition of 'Islamophobia'. Read More »
NSS asks art gallery to review decision to uphold blasphemy code
Posted: Tue, 07 May 2019
The NSS has asked an art gallery which covered two paintings up in response to complaints from Muslim visitors to review its decision. Read More »
Adopting Islamophobia definition ‘would cripple counter-terrorism'
Posted: Tue, 30 Apr 2019
Adopting a proposed definition of 'Islamophobia' would harm efforts to keep the UK safe, a former counter-terrorism chief has warned. Read More »
Nick Cohen & Pragna Patel to address free speech at Secularism 2019
Posted: Wed, 13 Mar 2019
Nick Cohen and Pragna Patel will address the subject of freedom of expression at the NSS's Secularism 2019 conference. Read More »
Protect free speech, NSS tells Scottish review of hate crime laws
Posted: Fri, 22 Feb 2019
The NSS has urged the Scottish government to protect free speech and abolish blasphemy laws as it considers proposals on hate crime. Read More »
NSS welcomes guidance which promotes free speech at universities
Posted: Fri, 15 Feb 2019
The NSS has welcomed official guidance which aims to ensure universities "remain a forum for open and robust enquiry". Read More »
Event to mark 30th anniversary of fatwa against Salman Rushdie
Posted: Fri, 08 Feb 2019
An event to commemorate the women who defended the right to publish The Satanic Verses is to be held in London next Thursday. Read More »
