Restrictions
Although you have the freedom to express your views and beliefs, you have a duty to behave responsibly and to respect other people’s rights.
Public authorities may restrict your right to freedom of expression if they can show that their action has a proper basis in law, and is necessary and ‘proportionate’ in order to:
protect national security, territorial integrity or public safety
prevent disorder or crime
protect health or morals
protect the rights and reputations of other people
prevent the disclosure of information received in confidence
maintain the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
It may be permissible to restrict your freedom of expression if, for example, you express views that encourage racial or religious hatred.
However, the relevant public authority must show that the restriction is ‘proportionate’, in other words the restriction must be no more than is necessary, appropriate and not excessive in the circumstances.