Free speech under threat: JK Rowling fights back against hate crime laws

The battle for free speech is heating up, with governments cracking down on what people can say.

In Scotland, new hate crime laws have sparked a fierce debate around free speech.

Famed author JK Rowling has spoken out against these laws, and even dared Scottish police to arrest her.

People across the world are concerned these types of laws will limit freedom of speech.

Sky News Digital Originals explores the threat to free speech, and how these laws could become more common around the world.

[JIMDEZWAV]

.'In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.'
George Orwell —

[stuartfirm]

How can the SNP shout about freedom for Scotland, all they have done is take away Scottish people's freedom

[killerriver]

" Sticks and stones may break my bones but words shall oh wait may get me in prision ? " sad world we are entering into

[Apriluser]

“We know they are lying, they know they are lying, they know we know they are lying, we know they know we know they are lying, but they are still lying.” – Attributed to Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn

[helenromanelli]

I am thrilled that Yousef is getting the greatest number of complaints...that is poetic justice.

[mikedavidson]

J K Rowling should be given Scotland's biggest honor, plus UK's highest Royal affirmation.

[Flat_Lizard]

Arrested for what we say?
Just like that, Scotland became Mao’s China.

[Jennd]

Useless does not care about Scotland… this is a back door blasphemy issue for religious end game! Duh!

[bekind]

Don’t let the patients run the asylum.

[BigDog]

Proud to say I've reported Humza twice now, once for his anti-white speech and once for calling anyone who reported him for that Far Right. It's very easy. Online form. Totally anonymous. I'm hovering, waiting for my next report. 😁

[jasong]

Lodge mass complaints against the politicians that introduced this law - watch the law get reversed

[LLL_CarnivoreLife]

How ridiculous that the creator of Harry Potter wasn't invite to the reunion. Some of those people would never be famous without her. I'm with JKR trans women are biological men and always will be.

[zebatov]

It’ll be really easy for them to discriminate who they arrest. They’ll just look at your posting and voting history.

[NoWindNoSunNoPower]

Apparently many have reported Hamas Useless for his "White. White, White" rant.

[Ovahlls]

Why is this even a fight? The right to free speech should be a given for every single human being.

[viviannsoriben]

Scottish people should not allow this guy to run their country.

[MikeInOregon]

Gotta protect the youth from hurtful speech so that Brave New World Order can turn them against their parents.

[nialllee]

Well done JK its our country SCOTLAND in my opinion Yusaff is RACIST. and I have complained.

[jamesmaybury]

Distracted, deceived and divided.

They have still achieved some of these control methods.

[alisonwaltho]

Who would have ever thought JKR writings would empower her in these times of deceit to stand against destructive draconian hate crime laws. May God bless her protect her guide her give her strength to protect our freedom of Speech globally. That we as Nations get behind her.