Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Incitement law: a tool of censorship?
An engaging panel of speakers share their insights in these introductory speeches filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival.
#FreeSpeech
#IncitementLaw
#CensorshipDebate
#BattleOfIdeas
After riots that followed three fatal stabbings in Southport last year, over 30 people were arrested for social-media posts, and many subsequently convicted. These cases have reignited debate over the definition and purpose of the charge of ‘incitement’. What factors determine an offence of incitement, placing what is said beyond the realm of free speech within the law?
While liberal democracies traditionally drew a clear line between speech and action, this line is blurring. In Britain, ‘hate speech’ legislation can mean that emotional impact is conflated with intent, subjective offence with objective threat, and expressions deemed likely to incite hatred can be punished regardless of whether violence follows.
So how should incitement be defined? When does robust speech become criminal incitement and how should free speech be balanced with public order? Do we need a Brandenburg test in Britain? Is there a danger that protecting public safety is a pretext for silencing people, and that law becomes a tool of political policing, weaponising incitement law for ideological ends? And what counts – or should count – as free speech, even if it’s offensive to many?
The speakers are:
Albie Amankona - Broadcaster; financial analyst; executive member, 2022 Group; LGBT+ Conservatives
Steven Barrett - Barrister; broadcaster; writer on law, Spectator
Bryn Harris - Chief Legal Counsel, Free Speech Union
Dr Joanna Williams - Academic; author, How Woke Won and Women vs Feminism
Luke Gittos - Criminal lawyer; author, Human Rights – Illusory Freedom; director, Freedom Law Clinic
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.
Do help us to keep going by making a donation on our charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite OR hit the Donate button below the video. Thank you for watching and for your support.
Incitement law: a tool of censorship?
An engaging panel of speakers share their insights in these introductory speeches filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival.
#FreeSpeech
#IncitementLaw
#CensorshipDebate
#BattleOfIdeas
After riots that followed three fatal stabbings in Southport last year, over 30 people were arrested for social-media posts, and many subsequently convicted. These cases have reignited debate over the definition and purpose of the charge of ‘incitement’. What factors determine an offence of incitement, placing what is said beyond the realm of free speech within the law?
While liberal democracies traditionally drew a clear line between speech and action, this line is blurring. In Britain, ‘hate speech’ legislation can mean that emotional impact is conflated with intent, subjective offence with objective threat, and expressions deemed likely to incite hatred can be punished regardless of whether violence follows.
So how should incitement be defined? When does robust speech become criminal incitement and how should free speech be balanced with public order? Do we need a Brandenburg test in Britain? Is there a danger that protecting public safety is a pretext for silencing people, and that law becomes a tool of political policing, weaponising incitement law for ideological ends? And what counts – or should count – as free speech, even if it’s offensive to many?
The speakers are:
Albie Amankona - Broadcaster; financial analyst; executive member, 2022 Group; LGBT+ Conservatives
Steven Barrett - Barrister; broadcaster; writer on law, Spectator
Bryn Harris - Chief Legal Counsel, Free Speech Union
Dr Joanna Williams - Academic; author, How Woke Won and Women vs Feminism
Luke Gittos - Criminal lawyer; author, Human Rights – Illusory Freedom; director, Freedom Law Clinic
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.
Do help us to keep going by making a donation on our charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite OR hit the Donate button below the video. Thank you for watching and for your support.
