For most people, the word ‘hate speech’ probably conjures up images of skinheads shouting racist abuse, or of far-right extremists calling for mass deportations of migrants. In reality, what ends up being criminalised as ‘hate speech’ tends to be far more benign. In many instances, views that were mainstream only a few years ago have been deemed ‘hateful’ by the authorities. Even posting a Bible verse online or saying that ‘men can’t be lesbians’ can now land you in trouble with the police. The subjective nature of ‘hate’, and its ever-broadening definition, means that no one can be sure if their views are on the right side of the law.

Paul Coleman – executive director of ADF International and author of Censored – discusses the dangerous rise of hate-speech laws in the latest episode of The Brendan O’Neill Show.