London Falling: How the Birthplace of Free Speech Became a Censor’s Paradise

Eli Lake's podcast episode delves into the state of free speech in the United Kingdom, contrasting its historical role as a birthplace of free expression with current trends of censorship and policing of online speech. The episode features interviews with British lawyer Paul Coleman, Lord Toby Young, and historian Neil Ferguson, who discuss the impact of legislation like the Human Rights Act and the Online Safety Act on free speech. The podcast explores specific cases, including the arrest of comedian Graham Linehan for his tweets and the imprisonment of a woman for an offensive social media post, raising questions about the balance between protecting vulnerable groups and preserving freedom of expression. It also examines the role of cultural and institutional pressures in stifling dissent, referencing historical examples and the philosophical arguments of John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty," and concludes by questioning whether a true commitment to free speech is possible in the current political climate.