Does the Law Relating to Obscenity Restict Freedom of Speech?

The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental right, which has not traditionally been prescribed by law, but can be considered more of a moral right.

However the enactment of the Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law, Article 10 of which creates a right to freedom of expression. Article 10 (1) states "Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. The right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers." However this right to free speech is qualified and not absolute as Section 10 (2) imposes a number of restrictions upon its exercise; "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 or for the protection of the reputation or rights of others."

Two of these "restrictions prescribed by law" are the criminal offences of Obscenity and Blasphemy, which abridge