Neutral Citation No. [2011] NIQB 26 | Ref: | TRE8133 |
Judgment: approved by the Court for handing down | Delivered: | 22/3/11 |
(subject to editorial corrections)* |
TREACY J
Introduction
Grounds of Challenge
"(i) The Authority's decision was reached in a procedurally unfair manner in that the applicants were not provided with a copy of the Independent Reviewer's recommendation to the ASA Council, nor permitted to make representations in relation to it directly to the ASA Council, which was the final decision-maker in the process;
(ii) The Authority's decision is a violation of the applicants' rights under Article 9 and/or Article 10 of the European Convention, contrary to section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, in that it represents an interference with those rights which is not for a legitimate aim and/or which is not proportionate; and
(iii) The Authority breached the applicants' legitimate expectation, engendered by clause 1.4(i) of the Committee of Advertising Practice Code, that it would not adjudicate in a case such as this."
"[8] The fourth ground concerns the misdirection, in that it is said that the ASA adopted an incorrect view of the applicants' position on homosexuality. The applicants seek to condemn the activity and not the individual. However the applicants contend that the ASA proceeded on the basis that the advertisement sought to attack the individuals. There was debate during the leave hearings as to whether or not the advert was directing its attack on individuals or whether it was directing its attack on the activity. It is not the intended meaning as such that is the issue but rather whether the text would be likely to occasion serious or widespread offence. I consider that the ASA properly directed itself to a reasonable interpretation of the text and a concern as to whether that reasonable interpretation would be likely to occasion serious or widespread offence. I am not satisfied that there is an arguable ground for misdirection."
An appeal against the refusal of leave on this ground was refused by the Court of Appeal.
Factual Background
"The promotion and enforcement throughout the United Kingdom of the highest standards of advertising in all media so as to ensure in co-operation with all concerned that no advertising contravenes these standards, having regard inter alia to the British Code of Advertising Practice."
"The ASA was established in 1962 to provide independent scrutiny of the newly created self-regulatory system set up by the industry. Its chief tasks are to promote and enforce high standards in marketing communications, to investigate complaints, to identify and resolve problems through its own research, to ensure that the system operates in the public interest and to act as the channel for communications with those who have an interest in marketing communication standards."
"By creating and following self-imposed rules, the marketing community produces marketing communications that are welcomed and trusted. By practicing self-regulation, it ensures the integrity of advertising, promotions and direct marketing."
" that readers of advertising have different expectations of advertising from their expectations of editorial, which is generally regulated with a lighter touch (including by the Press Complaints Commission). Readers are likely to be more tolerant of polemic material in the news and editorial columns of a newspaper than in advertising. People buy newspapers for their editorial content, not their advertising content, of which they are likely to have little or no knowledge in advance, and which (in a manner of speaking) come at them uninvited."
"1.4 (a) the ASA Council's interpretation of the Code is final.
1.4(b) conformity with the Code is assessed according to the marketing communication's probable impact when taken as a whole and in context. This will depend on the medium in which the marketing communication appeared, the audience and its likely response, the nature of the product and any additional material distributed to consumers.
1.4(i) the ASA does not arbitrate between conflicting ideologies.
2.1 All marketing communications should be legal, decent, honest and truthful.
2.2 All marketing communications should be prepared with a sense of responsibility to consumers and society.
5.1. Marketing communications should contain nothing that is likely to cause serious or widespread offence. Particular care should be taken to avoid causing offence on the grounds of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability. Compliance with the Code will be judged on the context, medium, audience, product and prevailing standards of decency."
"The Independent Review procedure
60.38 In exceptional circumstances, the ASA Council can be asked to reconsider its adjudication (including a Council decision not to investigate a complaint). Requests for a review should contain a full statement of the grounds, be in writing and be addressed to the Independent Reviewer of ASA Adjudications, 5th Floor, 21 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LP. They should be sent within 21 days of the date on the ASA's letter of notification of an adjudication. The Independent Reviewer may waive this 21 day time limit if he judges it fair and reasonable to do so.
Requests should come only from the complainant(s) or marketer. Those from the marketer or from an industry complainant should be signed by the Chairman, Chief Executive or equivalent; requests made only by their solicitor or agency will not be accepted. All dealings with the Independent Reviewer must be in writing.
There are two grounds on which such a request can be made:
Where additional relevant evidence becomes available (an explanation of why it was not submitted previously, in accordance with clause 3.1, will be required).
Where there is a substantial flaw in the Council's adjudication or in the process by which that adjudication was made.
No review will proceed if the point at issue is the subject of simultaneous or contemplated legal action between anyone directly involved. Requests for review should make plain that no such action is underway or is contemplated.
The ASA will not delay publication of the relevant adjudication pending the outcome of a review save in exceptional circumstances (on the authorisation of the ASA Director General).
The Independent Reviewer will evaluate the substance of the request with advice from two Assessors (apart from requests about a Council decision not to investigate a complaint). The two Assessors are the Chairman of ASBOF[1] (or nominee) and the Chairman of the ASA.
If the Independent Reviewer decides not to accept the request (in whole or in part) because he considers that it does not meet either of the two grounds set out above he will inform the person making the request accordingly.
The Council's adjudication on reviewed cases is final."
THE WORD OF GOD
AGAINST SODOMY
Last year in the "gay pride parade" a banner stating "Jesus is a Fag" was carried by one of the participants. The supporter of homosexuality was able to walk through the streets of Belfast displaying this offensive placard in spite of the presence of the PSNI, representatives from the Commission and the march organisers. The act of sodomy is a grave offence to every Bible believer who, in accepting the pure message of God's precious Word, express the mind of God by declaring it to be an abomination. (Leviticus, ch18 v22, 'Thou Shalt not lie down with mankind, as with womankind; it is an abomination.') This unequivocal statement clearly articulates God's judgement upon a sin that has been only made controversial by those who are attempting to either neutralise or remove the guilt of their wrongdoing. As a result, we are now witnessing a hostile spirit being exerted against the testimony of God's precious Word and those who adhere to its teachings. It is imperative that everyone whose faith is centred upon the authority of the divinely inspired scriptures maintain a strong and public stand for the ethical and moral standards that will ultimately exalt the nation. (Proverbs, ch14 v34, 'Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.')
The issue of human rights is no longer a basis for this parade, as successive governments have legislated for the lowering of the age of consent, the authorisation of civil partnerships and the inheritance rights of a nominated partner. It is a cause for regret that a section of the community desire to be known for a perverted form of sexuality, which in certain incidences has provoked the unacceptable and totally unjustifiable response of violence. Such a response, however, must not intimidate the church into silence.
We are obligated under God to publicly challenge the vices of this generation with the divine assurance that the gospel of redeeming grace can change a person's life by making them a new creature in the beloved Lord Jesus Christ. (1st Corinthians, ch6 vs9-11, 'know Ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but ye are washed. But ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God.')
The message of the gospel is purifying, positive and precious all because the Lord Jesus Christ shed his sinless blood on the cross of Calvary to take away sin.
We invite you to join with us this Saturday at 1.30pm as we assemble in the park adjacent to Saint Anne's Cathedral for a gospel witness against the act of sodomy.
This parade is not a welcome addition to our city, neither is it a positive celebration of a profitable lifestyle flaunting a form of sexuality that generations of men and women have righteously resisted and by God's grace will continue to resist. Romans, ch1 v17.
Published by the Kirk Session of Sandown Free Presbyterian Church.
(i) "The advertisement is deeply offensive, it defines people in terms of a sexual act. It says that I and many other people are perverted. it is extremely upsetting to be on the receiving end of such comments, no one should open the paper to see this in an advertisement."
(ii) "I feel this advert causes grave offence on the grounds of sexual orientation I'm shocked the newspaper carried it. Its language is couched in homophobia and I feel it may incite hatred against lesbian and gay people";
(iii) "I find this advert totally offensive and am concerned that such a homophobic advert was allowed to be in the press");
(iv) "I believe that the advertisement was homophobic, dangerous and offensive, as it described homosexual people as perverts, and clearly breached advertising guidelines";
(v) "I object strongly to this free newspaper being put through my door with this sort of objectionable rubbish in it".
"Further to my letter of 19 December 2008 I have now reached the point when I would like to let you know what I am minded to recommend to the Council at the conclusion of my work on the review request contained in your letter of 9 December 2008. I have had comments from some of the complainants upon your statement of case (see summary of these attached at Annex B to this letter.
You believe that the ASA had no right to curb the freedom of an organisation answerable to God to publish material which is based on what is in the Bible and which in part consists of direct quotations from the Bible. In my view such reasoning fails to take account of the fact that the ASA has a duty to administer the CAP Code and to rule upon legitimate complaints made to it about possible breaches of that Code.
The main clause in the Code bearing on this particular case is clause 5.1 which states '(avoiding serious or widespread offence) marketing communications should contain nothing that is likely to cause serious or widespread offence. Particular care should be taken to avoid causing offence on the grounds of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability. Compliance with the Code will be judged on the context, medium, audience, product and prevailing standards of decency.'
There can be no doubt that a press advertisement falls squarely within the scope of the Code. The only sort of campaigning advertisement expressly excluded by the Code is political election campaigning; there is no exception for advertisements about religious issues. And the Code applies to both paid for advertising and to free newspapers distributed to people's homes. The advertisement is not confined to quotations from the Bible. It also includes an eye-catching headline and several other strongly worded sentences of commentary based upon biblical references.
I consider that the ASA has a duty to weigh up the arguments and counter-arguments and decide whether the advertisement has, or is likely to have, caused serious or widespread offence. That decision must be taken with due regard to the context, medium, audience, product and prevailing standards of decency.
I am satisfied that the Council was right to consider and apply the provisions of clause 5.1 of the Code. There is nothing in the adjudication to warrant the charge that the Council has taken a position about the merits of the arguments advanced by those for or against the acceptability of homosexuality. All that the Council has done in this case is to take a view about the extent to which the freedom to express those arguments has been exercised with due care for the legitimate concerns rights and reputations of those who do not agree with them or are likely to be affected adversely by them.
As always in cases where taste and decency are at the core of the concerns, the judgement which the Council has to make is difficult. But it cannot shirk the task, however difficult, especially for a judgment about the seriousness of the perceived offence to readers who may not share the views of those who published the advertisement. It is accountable for the judgments which it makes and they must be fair and reasonable and the process by which they are reached must be seen to have been fair and reasonable. The Council agreed with the Executive that the advertisement did not condone and was not likely to provoke violence. But the Council disagreed with the Executive's recommendation in respect of offensiveness. That demonstrates to me not only that the issues were considered carefully but also shows that the process by which the decision was reached was fair and reasonable and in line with the ASA's normal and publicly stated practice.
Nevertheless in my opinion the wording of the adjudication on Point No 1 is unfortunate and inconsistent with the nature of the test which the Council sought to apply in this case in judging the offence. The Code contains two tests: 'widespread' or 'serious'. The use of the word 'majority' would be consistent with the test of 'widespread'. But it is my understanding that the test applied in this instance by the Council was 'serious'. The important point was not whether a majority or a minority of readers would be offended; it was whether readers would be likely to be caused serious offence. The adjudication concludes that the offence would be 'serious' but uses words which introduce the concept of 'widespread'. That confuses the verdict and it will be important for the Council, when reconsidering this adjudication, to reflect on this point and to decide what action to take.
The Council might conclude, having considered your statement of case and also the views of those complainants who have commented upon it, that it should reverse its original verdict and revert to that which had earlier been recommended by the ASA Executive. Or the Council might conclude that the published adjudication should remain unaltered. I am at present minded to advise the Council that it should do neither.
I am at present minded to advise the Council that it should replace the Assessment of Point No 1 in the published adjudication with the text set out at Annex A to this letter. That text retains the 'upheld' verdict but bases it on a judgment about 'serious offence' and not one which says anything about 'widespread offence'.
It is my present opinion that it would be both fair and reasonable for the Council to conclude that the overall tone and much of the specific content of the advertisement, with its selective quotations from the Bible, would be seriously offensive to any homosexual, Christian or non-Christian. Despite the quotation from Corinthians, the message seems not to be encouragement to those with such a sexual orientation to share your firmly held belief that their way of life is sinful and that it would be to their advantage to change their ways. While stopping short of an incitement to violence the language used is hardly that of compassion, it depicts the homosexual community as an abomination and perverted against a background (as you acknowledge in the advertisement) of sometimes violent antagonism towards homosexuals in Northern Ireland. I note that the advertisement stops short of quoting that verse from Leviticus which calls for homosexuals to be put to death (20:13). I think that it was reasonable for the Council to consider that codes of conduct and sanctions laid down in biblical works from several millennia ago cannot be communicated verbatim and indiscriminately in twenty first century advertising. In my view the language used goes far further than would be necessary to call for a peaceful counter demonstration for a gospel witness. I have not detected any discrimination between how the ASA would consider advertising by SFPC under the Code and how it would consider advertising by any other faith group.
Please however bear in mind as I explained in my letter of 19 December 2008 that the Council is not bound to accept any conclusion and recommendation which I make to it.
I would be grateful for any comments which you care to offer on the contents of this letter and on the draft text at Annex A. I will ensure that such comments are included in the dossier of papers in front of the Council when it reconsiders its decision on the basis of your review request. That dossier will also include a copy of Annex B.
I should be grateful if you could let me have any comments within 14 days of the date on this letter so that I can finalise my advice to the Council.
I must ask that you should treat this letter as 'in confidence'. The review procedure is part of the overall ASA process and I support the ASA's strongly held view that this process should invariably be conducted 'in confidence' without the distraction of public debate in the media.
I have written in similar terms to the complainants.
Yours etc"
[Emphasis added]
"it would be inappropriate for our clients to seek to avail of your offer to comment on the matters raised in your letter dated 10 March 2009 at this stage".
Having declined the invitation to make representations to the IR on the same date the applicant's solicitors wrote to the ASA and asked for sight of the IR's report and the right to make representations in relation to it directly to the ASA.
"Dear
Sandown Free Presbyterian Church A08-66355
I am writing to you in my capacity as secretary to the Council to confirm the result of today's discussion.
The ASA Council has now considered the above case following a request by the advertiser that point 1 of the adjudication should be reviewed on the grounds of substantial flaw. As you know, Point 2 of the adjudication, the challenge that the ad was likely to provoke hatred and violence against the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community, was 'not upheld' by the Council.
After careful consideration, including of a report from the Independent Reviewer and correspondence from the advertiser and its solicitor, the Council concluded that the ad would be likely to and had caused serious offence on grounds of sexual orientation but that the adjudication was flawed. It ought not to have stated that some of the ad's text 'went further than the majority of readers were likely to find acceptable'. Those words introduced the concept of widespread offence; it had intended to adjudicate only that the ad would be likely to and had caused serious offence.
The Council noted the advertiser's arguments that freedom to advertise the content of the bible could not lawfully be found to be in breach of the CAP Code, particularly having regard to Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In adjudicating whether the ad breached the Code, it weighed up those arguments against the rights of those readers of the newspaper who were likely to be seriously offended, particularly those whose sexual orientation were the subject of the ad.
The Council considered that the complainants were justified in believing that some of the text used in the ad was homophobic, implying that homosexual people were perverted and an abomination. It told the advertiser to take more care in future to avoid causing serious offence when advertising its opposition to the Gay Pride parade or inviting readers to a gospel witness. It did not consider that its adjudication would have the effect of preventing the advertiser from advertising its opposition in future, but it did not think sufficient care had been taken to avoid causing serious offence in this particular case. It recommended that the advertiser seek assistance from the CAP Copy Advice team before publishing similar ads in future.
I should add that the Council was aware of the views expressed by the advertiser's solicitor that the Council could not fairly adjudicate until the advertiser had been given an opportunity to see and comment on your recommendation. That matter had already been the subject of extensive correspondence and the Council was satisfied that the advertiser had been given ample information as to the likely recommendation and the opportunity to make its case. Copies of all correspondence between you (and myself) and the advertiser's solicitor were all placed before Council, specifically drawn to members' attention by the Chairman, and carefully considered in the course of their detailed discussion of the case.
The new adjudication, herewith attached, will be published on the ASA's website on Monday 6 April 2009, embargoed until Wednesday 8 April 2009. It remains confidential until later that date.
Yours etc"
[Emphasis added]
Parties Submissions
(i) that the adjudication was procedurally unfair;
(ii) that the adjudication constitutes a disproportionate interference with the applicant's rights under Arts 9 & 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights ("the Convention"); and
(iii) that the adjudication breaches the applicant's legitimate expectation that the respondent should not "arbitrate between conflicting ideologies".
(i) There was no procedural unfairness. The applicant was fully informed of the recommendation which the IR made to the respondent, was given an opportunity to comment and did comment on it. Its representations in response to the IR's recommendation were placed before the respondent and fully taken into account before it made its adjudication.
(ii) There is no interference in this case with the applicant's rights under Arts 9 or 10 of the Convention. Alternatively, whether considered under Art 9 or Art 10, any interference was a proportionate means of meeting the legitimate aim of protecting the rights of others, including the right of readers of the newspapers in question not to suffer serious offence and an interference with their own right to respect for their private lives, including their dignity and sexuality: a right which the respondent, as a public authority, is itself under a positive obligation to protect, pursuant to Art 8 of the Convention.
(iii) The respondent has not arbitrated or sought to arbitrate between conflicting ideologies in this case.
Ground (i) Procedural Unfairness
"The Authority's decision was reached in a procedurally unfair manner in that the applicants were not provided with a copy of the Independent Reviewer's recommendation to the ASA Council, nor permitted to make representations in relation to it directly to the ASA Council, which was the final decision-maker in the process;"
"17. So far as the Executive is concerned, it makes recommendations to the Council. The Council is free to accept or reject them. The position is no different, in my judgment, from a recommendation made by a planning officer to a planning committee. Indeed, the format of the Report, although somewhat shorter than the usual reports one would expect to find from a planning officer, is in not dissimilar form. The nature of the complaint is set out. The representations made by the complainant and by the advertisers are set out and a provisional view is set out for consideration by the Committee. Since the Council is free to reject that recommendation, there is no force in the argument that it is not independent.
18. Turning to the complaint that the written representations of the advertiser are summarised by the Executive, there might be some force in that complaint if it was suggested that the summary was in any way inaccurate or inadequate, but it is not. Moreover, the procedure allows the advertiser the opportunity to comment on the draft report. So the advertiser has the opportunity to say "You have not fairly represented my response to the complaints about my advertisement. I want you to include X, Y and Z". If, notwithstanding representations of that kind, the Executive fails to put the matter fairly before the Council, then there might be scope for a complaint. But that is simply not the position on the facts of the present case."
Ground (iii) Legitimate Expectation
"The Authority breached the applicant's legitimate expectation, engendered by clause 1.4.(i) of the Committee of Advertising Practice Code, that it would not adjudicate in a case such as this."
"the ASA does not arbitrate between conflicting ideologies." [Emphasis added]
"We believe that it is obvious that, in this case, the Authority has arbitrated between conflicting ideologies (the orthodox Christian view on sexuality and those who do not accept that view). While it appears to be perfectly acceptable, on the Authority's approach, for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (and others) to rubbish the orthodox Christian view on this issue, it appears to be no longer acceptable for those holding the orthodox Christian view to express it, particularly be reference to Biblical texts."
Ground (ii) Breach of Convention Rights
"(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
(2) Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others."
" freedom of thought, conscience and religion is one of the foundations of a 'democratic society' within the meaning of the Convention. It is, in its religious dimension, one of the most vital elements that go to make up the identity of believers and their conception of life, but it is also a precious asset for atheists, agnostics, skeptics and the unconcerned. The pluralism indissociable from a democratic society, which has been dearly won over the centuries, depends on it." [para.31]
"While religious freedom is primarily a matter of individual conscience, it also implies, inter alia, freedom to 'manifest [one's] religion'. Bearing witness in words and deeds is bound up with the existence of religious convictions." [para.31]
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. 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. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
(2) The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
"The Court considers that the matter essentially at issue in the present case is the applicant's exclusion from broadcasting an advertisement, an issue concerning primarily the regulation of his means of expression and not his profession or manifestation of his religion. It recalls that Article 10 protects not only the content and substance of information but also the means of dissemination since any restriction on the means necessarily interferes with the right to receive and impart information (Φztόrk v. Turkey [GC], no. 22479/93, § 49, ECHR 1999-VI). Accordingly, the Court is of the view that the applicant's complaint about the prohibition contained in section 10(3) of the 1988 Act falls to be examined under Article 10 of the Convention. Given the parties' submissions concerning the scope of that Article and the above-cited Handyside judgment (see, in particular, § 49), the Court reiterates that even expression which could be considered offensive, shocking or disturbing to the religious sensitivities of others falls within the scope of the protection of Article 10, the question for the Court being whether any restriction imposed on that expression complies with the provisions of that Article." [Emphasis added]
The respondent submitted that the present application relates to the applicant's means of expression of his perspective on a moral issue rather than to the profession or manifestation of a religious belief. Accordingly, the applicant's complaint of breach of Convention rights ought more properly to be considered in the context of Art.10 rather than Art.9.
"Freedom of expression constitutes one of the essential foundations of such a society, one of the basic conditions for its progress and for the development of every man. Subject to Article 10(2), it is applicable not only to "information" or "ideas" that are favourably received or regarded as inoffensive or as a matter of indifference, but also to those that offend, shock, or disturb the State or any sector of the population. Such are the demands of that pluralism, tolerance and broad-mindedness without which there is no "democratic society". This means, amongst other things, that every "formality", "condition", "restriction" or "penalty" imposed in this sphere must be proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued." [Emphasis added]
"...
Those who choose to exercise the freedom to manifest their religion, irrespective of whether they do so as members of a religious majority or a minority, cannot reasonably expect to be exempt from all criticism. They must tolerate and accept the denial by others of their religious beliefs and even the propagation by others of doctrines hostile to their faith. However, the manner in which religious beliefs and doctrines are opposed or denied is a matter which may engage the responsibility of the State, notably its responsibility to ensure the peaceful enjoyment of the right guaranteed under Article 9 to the holders of those beliefs and doctrines. Indeed, in extreme cases the effect of particular methods of opposing or denying religious beliefs can be such as to inhibit those who hold such beliefs from exercising their freedom to hold and express them.
In the Kokkinakis judgment the Court held, in the context of Article 9, that a State may legitimately consider it necessary to take measures aimed at repressing certain forms of conduct, including the imparting of information and ideas, judged incompatible with the respect for the freedom of thought, conscience and religion of others. The respect for the religious feelings of believers as guaranteed in Article 9 can legitimately thought to have been violated by provocative portrayals of objects of religious veneration; and such portrayals can be regarded as malicious violation of the spirit of tolerance, which must also be a feature of democratic society. The Convention is to be read as a whole and therefore the interpretation and application of Article 10 in the present case must be in harmony with the logic of the Convention."
"...
However, as is borne out by the wording itself of Article 10(2), whoever exercises the rights and freedoms enshrined in the first paragraph of that Article undertakes "duties and responsibilities". Amongst them in the context of religious opinions and beliefs may legitimately be included an obligation to avoid as far as possible expressions that are gratuitously offensive to others and thus an infringement of their rights, and which do not therefore contribute to any form of public debate capable of furthering progress in human affairs.
This being so, as a matter of principle it may be considered necessary in certain democratic societies to sanction or even prevent improper attacks on objects of religious veneration, provided always that any 'formality', 'condition', 'restriction' or 'penalty' imposed be proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued".
[Emphasis added]
"As in the case of 'morals' a concept linked to 'the rights of others' it is not possible to discern throughout Europe a uniform conception of the significance of religion in society; even within a single country such conceptions may vary. For that reason it is not possible to arrive at a comprehensive definition of what constitutes a permissible interference with the exercise of the right to freedom of expression where such expression is directed against the religious feelings of others. A certain margin of appreciation is therefore to be left to the national authorities in assessing the existence and extent of the necessity of such interference.
The authorities' margin of appreciation, however, is not unlimited. It goes hand in hand with Convention supervision the scope of which will vary according to the circumstances. In cases such as the present one, where there has been an interference with the exercise of the freedoms guaranteed in paragraph 1 of Article 10, the supervision must be strict because of the importance of the freedoms in question. The necessity for any restriction must be convincingly established."
[Emphasis added]
"In these circumstances, and taking full account of the claimant's Article 10 rights, we consider that OFCOM were justified in their conclusion, the terms of which we have quoted in paragraph 11 above. The broadcast was undoubtedly highly offensive to Mr Stark and was well capable of offending the broadcast audience. The essential point is that, the offensive and abusive nature of the broadcast was gratuitous, having no factual foundation or justification. In the result, we accept Mr Anderson's submission that the Amended Finding constituted no material interference with the claimant's freedom of expression at all. An inhibition from broadcasting shouted abuse which expresses no content does not inhibit, and should not deter, heated and even offensive dialogue which retains a degree of relevant content.
51. No sanction or penalty was imposed on the broadcaster, let alone the claimant. This is relevant, though not decisive, to our consideration, because it bears on the proportionality of the interference. " [Emphasis added]
Interference
Prescribed by Law
Legitimate Aim
Proportionality
"No advertisement shall be broadcast which is directed towards any religious or political end or which has any relation to an industrial dispute."
"there is little scope under Article 10(2) of the Convention for restrictions on political speech or on debate of questions of public interest. However, a wider margin of appreciation is generally available to the Contracting States when regulating freedom of expression in relation to matters liable to offend intimate personal convictions within the sphere of morals or, especially, religion By reason of their direct and continuous contact with the vital forces of their countries, State authorities are in principle in a better position than the international judge to give an opinion on the exact content of these requirements with regard to the rights of others as well as on the "necessity" of a "restriction" intended to protect from such material those whose deepest feelings and convictions would be seriously offended."
"The Court agrees that the concepts of pluralism, tolerance and broadmindedness on which any democratic society is based mean that Article 10 does not, as such, envisage that an individual is to be protected from exposure to a religious view simply because it is not his or her own. However, the Court observes that it is not to be excluded that an expression, which is not on its face offensive, could have an offensive impact in certain circumstances. The question before the Court is therefore whether a prohibition of a certain type (advertising) of expression (religious) through a particular means (broadcasting) can be justifiably prohibited in the particular circumstances of the case."
Discussion
Conclusion
Note 1 The Advertising Standards Board of Finance [Back] Note 2 R(SB) v governors of Denbigh High School [2007] 1 AC 100 [Back] Note 3 Belfast City Council v Miss Behavin Ltd [2007] 1 WLR 1420 [Back]