Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Contempt of court: protecting the innocent or stifling debate? Introductory Speeches Battle of Ideas Festival
This panel discussion was filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 2025. These are the introductory speeches, Part 2 the Q&A will follow.
#contemptofcourt
#freespeechdebate
#fairtrial
#legalreform
Contempt of court laws, long seen as essential to justice and fair trials, have recently come under intense scrutiny as political and media censorship controversies grow in the social-media era. Cases such as the suppression of information about Axel Rudakubana, the geoblocking of Rachel Aviv’s New Yorker article on Lucy Letby, and high-profile incidents involving Chris Kaba, Manchester Airport assaults, and Tommy Robinson have revealed how restrictions can create information vacuums that fuel misinformation and unrest. With online platforms undermining traditional controls and global audiences freely accessing potentially prejudicial content, many argue the Contempt of Court Act is outdated. As the Law Commission reviews the law’s effectiveness, consistency and relevance, key questions arise about free speech, fair trials, and whether the 1981 Act needs a fundamental reboot—explored here by Helen Dale, Jon Holbrook and Professor Gavin Phillipson.
The speakers on the panel are:
Helen Dale senior writer, Law & Liberty; author, Kingdom of the Wicked
Jon Holbrook barrister; writer, spiked, Critic, Conservative Woman
Professor Gavin Phillipson professor of law, University of Bristol
The chair is:
Max Sanderson assistant managing editor, Guardian
WORLDwrite is a volunteer-run citizen TV channel that stands up for free speech – no ifs or buts. We film hard-hitting political debates, including panels from the Battle of Ideas festival, tackling taboo topics and defending ordinary people against contempt and censorship.
We train hundreds of young adults every year to shoot the arguments that matter, producing fearless films on politics, democracy, freedom, and global equality.
This is Citizen TV that punches above its weight.
Subscribe for unapologetic documentaries, debate and dissent.
With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite Or hit the Donate button below the video. Thank You.
Contempt of court: protecting the innocent or stifling debate? Introductory Speeches Battle of Ideas Festival
This panel discussion was filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 2025. These are the introductory speeches, Part 2 the Q&A will follow.
#contemptofcourt
#freespeechdebate
#fairtrial
#legalreform
Contempt of court laws, long seen as essential to justice and fair trials, have recently come under intense scrutiny as political and media censorship controversies grow in the social-media era. Cases such as the suppression of information about Axel Rudakubana, the geoblocking of Rachel Aviv’s New Yorker article on Lucy Letby, and high-profile incidents involving Chris Kaba, Manchester Airport assaults, and Tommy Robinson have revealed how restrictions can create information vacuums that fuel misinformation and unrest. With online platforms undermining traditional controls and global audiences freely accessing potentially prejudicial content, many argue the Contempt of Court Act is outdated. As the Law Commission reviews the law’s effectiveness, consistency and relevance, key questions arise about free speech, fair trials, and whether the 1981 Act needs a fundamental reboot—explored here by Helen Dale, Jon Holbrook and Professor Gavin Phillipson.
The speakers on the panel are:
Helen Dale senior writer, Law & Liberty; author, Kingdom of the Wicked
Jon Holbrook barrister; writer, spiked, Critic, Conservative Woman
Professor Gavin Phillipson professor of law, University of Bristol
The chair is:
Max Sanderson assistant managing editor, Guardian
WORLDwrite is a volunteer-run citizen TV channel that stands up for free speech – no ifs or buts. We film hard-hitting political debates, including panels from the Battle of Ideas festival, tackling taboo topics and defending ordinary people against contempt and censorship.
We train hundreds of young adults every year to shoot the arguments that matter, producing fearless films on politics, democracy, freedom, and global equality.
This is Citizen TV that punches above its weight.
Subscribe for unapologetic documentaries, debate and dissent.
With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite Or hit the Donate button below the video. Thank You.
