Quote du Jour | Hoe critici van regeringen onschadelijk worden gemaakt
The Economist schrijft hoe machtige mensen smaadwetgeving gebruiken om hun critici de mond te snoeren:
Defamation is recognised almost everywhere as grounds for a civil claim, in which subjects of wanton and damaging falsehoods can demand financial compensation. But when defamation is a criminal offence, governments can go beyond fining critics who have caused demonstrable harm, and imprison them simply for speaking. Though several countries have recently decriminalised defamation, many more still prosecute it zealously. And even where it can no longer lead to jail, charges can stifle criticism if courts award vast damages.