Internationally, The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, provides, in Article 19, that: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. For the majority of African constitutions provide legal protection for freedom of speech. However, these rights are exercised inconsistently in practice. The replacement of authoritarian regimes in Kenya and Ghana has substantially improved the situation in those countries. On the other hand, Eritrea allows no independent media. Sudan, Libya, and Equatorial Guinea also have repressive laws and practices. …show more content…
In Japan, there is freedom of assembly and association as well as speech, press and all other forms of expression and No censorship shall be maintained, nor shall the secrecy of any means of communication be violated. Article 35 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China claims that: Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration. However, currently, social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat are banned as a whole and books and foreign films are subject to active censorship. The biggest search engine, Google however, was unbanned but its usage is still limited. The Constitution of the Philippines specifies that no law shall be passed shortening the freedom of speech or of expression. However, some laws limit this freedom, for example: Title thirteen of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines criminalizes libel and slander by act or deed, providing penalties of fine or imprisonment. Blasphemy against decency and good customs is an offense which is punishable by a prison term, a fine, or …show more content…
However, behaviors or speeches in favor of the North Korean regime or communism can be punished by the National Security Law. There is a strict election law that takes effect a few months before elections which prohibits most speech that either supports or criticizes a particular candidate or party. The Thai constitution offers freedom of expression, however the government may restrict freedom of expression to preserve national security, preserve the rights of others, and prevent insults to Buddhism. The lese-majeste law makes it a crime, punishable by up to 15 years' imprisonment for each offense, to criticize, insult, or threaten the king, queen, royal heir apparent, or regent. Australia does not have explicit freedom of speech in any constitutional or statutory declaration of rights, with the exception of political speech which is protected from criminal prosecution at common law per Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd v Commonwealth. Citizens of the European Union enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers and the freedom and pluralism of the media shall be