"Under UK and European law, speech itself is rarely criminalised. However, conduct associated with speech absolutely can be. Key legal principles already exist: Material support to a hostile or sanctioned state Assistance to enemy propaganda or psychological operations Collaboration with sanctioned entities Participation in war crimes, or their facilitation The UK's Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, alongside Russia-specific regulations, makes it an offence to provide services - including media and publicity services - that benefit sanctioned entities or further their objectives."
"Graham Phillips: A legal precedent, not an anomaly , a British national, was sanctioned by the UK government in 2022. The justification was explicit: he was found to be involved in Russian information operations that undermined Ukraine 's sovereignty, including content linked to the exploitation and abuse of prisoners of war. Sanctions imposed included: Asset freezes Travel restrictions Prohibition on providing services that benefit him"
Free speech enables criticism of government, exposure of wrongdoing, and public debate, and underpins democratic accountability. Free speech was not intended to be unilaterally exploited by hostile states engaged in active war. Modern propaganda often hides behind the language of free expression, even when it materially supports enemy objectives. UK and European law rarely criminalises speech alone, but criminalises conduct linked to speech such as material support to hostile states, assistance to enemy propaganda, collaboration with sanctioned entities, or facilitation of war crimes. The UK's Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 makes providing services, including media services, to sanctioned entities an offence. Journalism receives no automatic exemption when activity crosses into active collaboration, as demonstrated by UK sanctions imposed on a British national in 2022 for involvement in Russian information operations.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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