Press release - 1 February 2006

Racial and Religious Hatred Bill: Commons uphold freedom of speech

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) is delighted on behalf of arts organisations that the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill, as amended by the Lords, has been accepted. The Lords incorporated amendments that the NCA had lobbied for, significantly to include a section safeguarding freedom of speech. The NCA rejects claims that the Government defeat on the Bill was a matter of political point-scoring rather than principle, instead believing that a potentially dangerous Bill has been amended to protect artistic freedoms.

The changes to the Bill have ensured that artists are free to produce challenging, exciting and sometimes controversial works without fear of prosecution. Despite Government assurances that the Bill would not be used to prosecute artists there was no guarantee of this within the Bill, and self-censorship would have been an inevitability.

Victoria Todd, NCA Director said:

"In order to create a climate of tolerance and understanding it is of vital importance that artists be allowed to raise and discuss these issues. This was a real point of principle, the significance of which has been reflected by the fact that so many organisations have lent their support to this campaign. Yesterday was a very important victory for artistic expression."

Joan Bakewell, NCA Chair said:

"I am delighted with the outcome of yesterday's vote and pleased that the artistic community can now feel freedom of speech has to a degree been safeguarded"

ENDS

Notes to editors: 1. For further information please contact the NCA, 1 Kingly St, London W1B 5PA. Telephone: 020 7287 3777. Fax: 020 7287 4777. Email: nca@artscampaign.org.uk. Website: www.artscampaign.org.uk

2. The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) is the UK's only independent lobbying organisation representing all the arts. It provides a voice for the arts world in all its diversity. It seeks to safeguard, promote and develop the arts and win public and political recognition for the importance of the arts as a key element in our national culture.

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