In-depth articles explaining UK speech laws in plain English. Covers the Communications Act, Public Order Act, Online Safety Act, defamation, hate speech, and more. Written for journalists, content creators, and anyone publishing in the UK.
9 July 2026
The short answer is yes. The longer answer involves 13 different statutes, maximum sentences from a fine to 7 years, and a CPS charging test that filters out most posts. Here's what you need to know.
Read Article9 July 2026
Yes, a police officer can be alarmed and distressed under section 5. The courts settled this in 1988. But the threshold is higher because officers are expected to be more robust — and context still matters.
Read Article9 July 2026
Social media can land you in prison. A single post can engage 13 different statutes. Here's every UK law that applies to what you post, share, and like — what each one requires, the maximum penalties, and what actually gets prosecuted.
Read Article9 July 2026
Before you hit publish, run through these five questions. They will not make you a lawyer — but they will help you spot the posts most likely to get you into legal trouble.
Read Article9 July 2026
Royal Assent April 2026. The Crime and Policing Act is the newest statute affecting what you can publish — from intimate image generators to expanded corporate liability. Here is what publishers need to know.
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