In a democratic society, few principles are as cherished—or as fiercely contested—as freedom of expression. However, the line between a protected opinion and a criminal act is often blurred by the heat of modern debate. In this talk, Andrew Copson explores the delicate balance between the right to speak and the right to be protected from harm. He will navigate the vital distinction between legal censorship and social accountability, examining why freedom of speech does not equate to freedom from the consequences of that speech. Andrew Copson has been the Chief Executive of Humanists UK since 2009 and served as President of Humanists International for a decade. A prolific author and commentator, he has co-written several bestsellers on humanism with Alice Roberts and authored Secularism: A Very Short Introduction. A regular contributor to national press and broadcast media, Andrew has advised numerous government departments and public bodies on secularist and ethical issues. He is a Classics and History graduate of Balliol College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

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