Free Speech Debate

Thirteen languages. Ten principles. One conversation.

Log in | Register | Mailing list

Loading...
1We – all human beings – must be free and able to express ourselves, and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, regardless of frontiers.»
2We defend the internet and all other forms of communication against illegitimate encroachments by both public and private powers.»
3We require and create open, diverse media so we can make well-informed decisions and participate fully in political life.»
4We speak openly and with civility about all kinds of human difference.»
5We allow no taboos in the discussion and dissemination of knowledge.»
6We neither make threats of violence nor accept violent intimidation.»
7We respect the believer but not necessarily the content of the belief.»
8We are all entitled to a private life but should accept such scrutiny as is in the public interest.»
9We should be able to counter slurs on our reputations without stifling legitimate debate.»
10We must be free to challenge all limits to freedom of expression and information justified on such grounds as national security, public order, morality and the protection of intellectual property.»

What’s missing?

Is there a vital area we have not addressed? A principle 11? An illuminating case study? Read other people's suggestions and add your own here. Or start the debate in your own language.
Home | Archives | Science
3540249671_e4fc6bee94

Mustn’t ask, mustn’t tell

Data protection laws now touch everyone’s lives and those living within the EU are about to have their regulations updated, writes David Erdos. These proposed laws are overly restrictive: the time has come to take a stand for those working in research.

Published on: March 25, 2013 | Principle 5 | Comments: 0

6554315179_69fbac133f_z

Scholarly publication in (slow) transition to open access

Academic ‘open access’ journals make articles freely available and the dissemination of knowledge and citation easier. However, the pace of change is slow, writes Cristobal Cobo.

Published on: March 12, 2013 | Principle 5 | Comments: 0

Open Access website (Photo by JenWaller under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Licence)

Open Access Academic Journals: Go for Gold?

The world of academic publishing stands at a crossroads with public institutions demanding open access to publicly funded research. Dominic Burbidge explores the difficulties that stand in the way.

Published on: February 18, 2013 | Principle 5 | Comments: 3

Universities Begin Winter Semester

How open access to scientific journals can help the developing world

Open access publishing models are having a significant impact on the dissemination on scientific information but their impact on the developing world is uncertain, writes Jorge L Contreras.

Published on: July 4, 2012 | Principle 5 | Comments: 0

Schellnhuber

A day in the life of a climate scientist

A senior advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it is only a matter of time before a climate scientist is killed, writes Maryam Omidi.

Published on: May 28, 2012 | Principle 5 | Comments: 1

Tamiflu Maker Accepts FDA Recommendation On New Warning Label

Did Tamiflu work? How can we know if we can’t find out?

Medical science frequently favours commercial interests over free speech, writes Deborah Cohen of the BMJ.

Published on: May 18, 2012 | Principle 5 | Comments: 1

William Jennings Bryan At Scopes Trial

Teaching creationism in US schools

A new Tennessee law will permit teachers to discuss creationism alongside theories of evolution, writes Casey Selwyn.

Published on: May 2, 2012 | Principle 5 | Comments: 14

bioterrorism

Wendy Barclay on censoring science

An influenza expert speaks out against the censorship of controversial bird flu research from two journals for fear that it could be used by terrorists as a bioweapon.

Published on: March 29, 2012 | Principle 5 | Comments: 0

South African President Thabo Mbeki (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Aids denialism in South Africa

South African President Thabo Mbeki appealed to principles of free speech in his defence of Aids denialism. A case study by Casey Selwyn.

Published on: February 10, 2012 | Principle 5 | Comments: 6

photo-5

Singh v the British Chiropractic Association

In 2008, the British Chiropractic Association launched a defamation lawsuit against science writer Simon Singh over an op-ed in which he suggested chiropractors lacked evidence for some of their medical claims. Maryam Omidi examines the case.

Published on: February 10, 2012 | Principle 9 | Comments: 0

Avian flu found In South Korea (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Bioterrorism and bird flu

In December 2011, the US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity asked the journals Science and Nature to redact details of a study about an easily transmitted form of the H5N1 virus for fear it could be misused by bioterrorists. Maryam Omidi considers whether the censorship request was valid.

Published on: February 5, 2012 | Principle 5 | Comments: 1

Free Speech Debate is a research project of the Dahrendorf Programme for the Study of Freedom at St Antony's College in the University of Oxford. www.freespeechdebate.ox.ac.uk