What the law says about protecting freedom of expression:

• Section nine of the Bermuda Constitution

"Except with his consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom includes freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence."

• Article ten of the European Convention on Human Rights

"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.

"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."

• Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

"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."

• Section 14 of Bermuda's Human Rights Act 1981

Requires the Human Rights Commission to "encourage an understanding of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual guaranteed by chapter one of the [Bermuda] Constitution and of the principle that all members of the community are of equal dignity, have equal rights and have an obligation to respect the dignity and rights of each other".