Freedom of Speech and Press in Sub-Austrian Galicia (from the Spring of Nations in 1848 to the First World War)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Freedom of speech in the media has been a means of expressing opinion and a flagship of democratic changes in society. Freedom of speech suppression has always had negative consequences for autoritarian regimes. The media have always been severely oppressed by the authorities, the Ukrainian press being one of the drivers of Ukraine’s independence. Therefore, the study of the freedom of speech and press evolution in Ukraine is a topical issue. The aim of this article is to research the freedom of speech and press evolution under the conditions of the Austrian constitutional monarchy (from 1848 to the beginning of the First World War). In addition, related censorship restrictions are considered, particularly the characteristics of censorship and noncensorship restrictions on the Ruthenian (Ukrainian) press of Galicia. The article can be of interest to historians, philologists, journalists, and all those interested in the field of freedom of speech and its historical context.