Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Information Essays in Honour of Sir David Williams

This volume of essays is concerned with two freedoms that play a central role in modern democracies: the free exchange and dissemination of ideas coupled with the principle of open, and therefore more accountable, government. With articles on subjects such as freedom of speech, religion and assembly; defamation of the State and of politicians; harassment, official secrecy, public interest disclosure and the protection of privacy; the book covers issues of political and legal importance to all who take an interest in how their country is governed. Written by expert academic commentators and practitioners from the UK, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, the essays in this collection provide timely and authoritative analysis as well as comparisons of how British protection of these freedoms compares with the protection offered by other Commonwealth states, the USA, EC law and the European Convention on Human Rights. Published at a time of fundamental change in the protection of rights in Britain, which sees the coming into force of The Human Rights Act and the second reading of the Freedom of Information Bill, this book will be of interest to academic and practising lawyers, government officials and academics working in departments of politics and government. This book was commissioned in honour of Sir David Williams in recognition of his contribution to the development of the law in these areas.

Jack Beatson is Professor of Law at the University of Cambridge Yvonne Cripps is Reader in Law at the University of Cambridge