Home > 2.9 Electoral offences and sanctions > Report on freedom of expression, prohibition of hate speech and promotion of pluralism in the context of electoral campaigns
 
 
 
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Paragraph 68
 

Authorities intending to block internet sites to prevent unlawful speech should take into consideration that this can substantially restrict the rights of internet users and have a significant collateral effect. In this respect, access to other platforms or social media is not necessarily a valid alternative and it “cannot alleviate” the impact on users even if bypassed. Blocking orders or extremely high fines for hosting lawful user-generated political content and refusing to take it down, if not prescribed by law, are not applicable measures