Bloggers say EU law will end free speech

British bloggers said yesterday that free speech on the internet is under threat from draconian new laws, which could see them jailed for up to three years….The measures are contained in the European Union’s Racism and Xenophobia Directive and could hit controversial European bloggers, even if their websites are hosted in America.

Chris Mounsey, the 29 year old behind The Devil’s Kitchen blog, said: “There is potential for this to have worldwide application. Free speech is at the centre of blogging. Part of the reason bloggers can tell the truth is because it is difficult to pin them down. This law tries to do it.”

The legislation goes beyond German or Austrian-style bans on denial of the Holocaust to cover those people who question the official history of recent conflicts in Africa and the Balkans.

One might be tempted to think that the Euros can go to hell in their own handcart if that’s what they want to do…but with US Supreme Court justices actually citing foriegn precedents for consideration in their cases…it could well concern all of us, especially if a LibDonk President gets to appoint more of that ilk to the court.

“therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee…” – John Donne