Freedom of Expression

Lists some of the documents that speak to freedom of expression that came before the Bill of Rights.

This resource brings together writing from philosophers, popular pamphlets, public debates and private correspondence from thinkers from the the early seventeenth century to the 1830s

Timeline created by the National Archives to illustrate how the concept of freedom of expression has evolved.

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19 states that "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."

The ICCPR is an international treaty that provides a range of protections for freedom of expression.

The UN Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the ICCPR. The states party to this treaty (including the US) submit periodic reports to the committee on implementing the treaty

Library of Congress Global Legal Monitor tracks news on freedom of speech around the world.