What country doesn't allow free speech?
Asked by: Carrie Mertz | Last update: March 27, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (43 votes)
Countries with virtually no freedom of speech include North Korea, considered the most censored, along with China, Eritrea, and Turkmenistan, which severely restrict expression through state control, internet blocking, and imprisonment of journalists and critics; other nations like Iran, Russia, and the UAE also impose heavy censorship and restrictions, though varying in degree.
What countries don't allow free speech?
According to Amnesty International, freedom of expression is significantly limited in China and North Korea. Freedom of speech has improved in Myanmar in recent years, but significant challenges remain.
Where is free speech not protected?
Only that expression that is shown to belong to a few narrow categories of speech is not protected by the First Amendment. The categories of unprotected speech include obscenity, child pornography, defamatory speech, false advertising, true threats, and fighting words.
Is free speech illegal in Germany?
Constitutional protections
Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his opinions in speech, writing, and pictures and to inform himself without hindrance from generally accessible sources. Freedom of the press and freedom of reporting by means of broadcasts and films shall be guaranteed.
Is free speech illegal in Britain?
There is no general right to the freedom of speech in the UK; however, since 1998, limited freedom of expression is guaranteed according to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as applied in British law through the Human Rights Act 1998.
What Are You Allowed to Say - Free Speech Explained
What countries have a hate speech law?
Most developed democracies have laws that restrict hate speech, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
What are the 5 limits to freedom of speech?
Five key limits to freedom of speech include incitement to violence, true threats, defamation, obscenity/child pornography, and speech integral to criminal conduct, all of which are generally unprotected because they cause direct harm, incite immediate illegal acts, or involve other serious offenses like fraud or perjury, despite free speech protecting even offensive or unpopular ideas.
Is it legal to kiss in public in Germany?
Couples hugging or kissing in public, whether of the same or opposite sex, is quite normal - at least in larger cities. Important: Anything physical in public that goes beyond a hug or kiss is illegal and can result in being charged with "causing a public nuisance."
What is illegal free speech?
The following speech may not be protected: Speech that is intended and likely to provoke imminent unlawful action (“incitement”). Statements where the speaker means to communicate a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals (“true threats”).
Can you say "from the river to the sea" in Germany?
Despite a report issued in January 2024 by CNN, the phrase was not considered illegal all over Germany. On 22 March 2024 the Administrative Court of Hesse ruled against an interdiction by the Frankfurt municipality and allowed the phrase in the course of a demonstration the same day.
Is it illegal to make racist comments?
In the U.S., racist comments are generally protected speech under the First Amendment, even if offensive, but they become illegal when they cross into specific categories like true threats, incitement to imminent violence, defamation, or fighting words, or when they become part of discriminatory actions in employment, housing, or public services, leading to civil rights violations or hate crimes. So, while yelling slurs on the street usually isn't a crime, using racist language to deny someone a job or threatening violence is illegal.
Which form of speech has the least protection?
These include the lewd and obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting or “fighting” words — those which, by their very utterance, inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.
What speech is never protected by the First Amendment?
The Court generally identifies these categories as obscenity, defamation, fraud, incitement, fighting words, true threats, speech integral to criminal conduct, and child pornography. The contours of these categories have changed over time, with many having been significantly narrowed by the Court.
What is the #1 freest country in the world?
According to the Cato Institute's Human Freedom Index 2025, Switzerland is the #1 freest country in the world, followed by Denmark and New Zealand, based on its strong performance in personal and economic freedoms. Switzerland consistently ranks highest due to its robust parliamentary democracy, high citizen participation, and strong economic conditions, though Singapore leads in purely economic freedom in some indices.
Does Mexico have freedom of speech?
While the 1917 constitution ostensibly guarantees freedom of expression, the enforcement of this law has often been inconsistent, leading to widespread self-censorship among journalists and media outlets reliant on government funding.
Do Chinese people have freedom of speech?
Although the 1982 constitution guarantees freedom of speech, the Chinese government often uses the "subversion of state power" and "protection of state secrets" clauses in their law system to imprison those who criticize the government.
Is the f word protected speech?
Yes, the "f-word" (profanity/obscenity) is generally protected speech under the First Amendment, as the Supreme Court has ruled that offensive or vulgar words alone aren't enough to restrict speech; however, it loses protection if it crosses into unprotected categories like "fighting words" (direct personal insults likely to provoke violence), true threats, or is part of obscenity, though courts have narrowed these exceptions significantly, as seen in the Brandi Levy case where school-related online swearing was protected.
Is hate speech illegal in the US?
The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently ruled that hateful or offensive speech is constitutionally protected from legal ramifications unless, for example, it incites imminent violence or unlawful action, constitutes “true threats” against individuals, is obscenity, as legally defined, or is defamatory – these are types ...
Do illegal immigrants have the right to free speech?
Anyone who is in the United States legally—regardless of citizenship status—has a basic right to freedom of speech. However, it's not clear whether undocumented immigrants can freely exercise their First Amendment rights without fear of deportation.
What is the 10pm rule in Germany?
Germany's 10 PM rule refers to Ruhezeit (quiet time), a cultural and legal principle enforcing peace and quiet, especially from 10 PM to 6 or 7 AM and all day Sunday, restricting loud activities like vacuuming, mowing, or loud music to respect neighbors and ensure rest, with potential fines for violations.
Is it illegal to kiss in Saudi Arabia?
Kissing in public goes against modesty norms and may offend or cause discomfort to local people. It is also illegal to engage in adulterous behavior. In addition, LGBTQ+ travelers should be aware that while they are permitted to travel to the country, same-sex sexual relations are strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia.
Can you smile at strangers in Germany?
In Germany, smiling at strangers is rare. If you're smiling in public, it's assumed you're either a tourist or have just committed a crime and are processing the emotional fallout. The German face says: I'm busy. I'm focused.
What isn't protected by free speech?
Categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection by the First Amendment (and therefore may be restricted) include obscenity, fraud, child pornography, speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action, speech that violates intellectual property law, true threats, and commercial ...
Is yelling freedom of speech?
Depending on the circumstances, you could be charged with disorderly conduct. If someone is injured, you could be liable. The First Amendment does protect your right to yell "fire" if there truly is one — or you truly believe there is — and you are trying to warn people of the danger so that they can get to safety.
Are death threats free speech?
Although most speech is constitutionally protected, the First Amendment does not protect particularly dangerous speech. For example, the First Amendment does not protect violent or unlawful conduct, even if it is meant to express an idea, nor does it protect speech that incites imminent violence or lawlessness.