The offence of Seditious Libel : Definitions

Seditious libel was a criminal offence under English common law. Sedition is the offence of speaking seditious words with seditious intent: if the statement is in writing or some other permanent form it is seditious libel. A statement is seditious if it “brings into hatred or contempt” the Queen or her heirs, or the government and constitution, or either House of Parliament, or the administration of justice, or if it incites people to attempt to change any matter of Church or State established by law (except by lawful means), or if it promotes discontent among or hostility between British subjects. A person is only guilty of the offence if they intend any of the above outcomes. Proving that the statement is true is not a defence. It is punishable with life imprisonment. (http://dictionary.lawyerment.com/topic/seditious_libel/ )

MAADA BIO : A MUTINOUS ORATOR

“… publishing verbally or otherwise any words or documents with the intention of exciting disaffection, hatred or contempt against the sovereign, or the government and constitution of the Kingdom, or either house of Parliament, or the administration of justice, or of exciting her Majesty’s subjects to attempt, otherwise than by lawful means, the alteration of any matter in church or state, or other exciting feelings of ill will and hostility between different classes of her Majesty’s subjects.”

“Sedition is a comprehensive term, and it embraces all those practices whether by word, deed, or writing, which are calculated to disturb the tranquility of the state, and indeed ignorant persons to endeavor to subvert the government and the laws of the Empire.”

http://www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/S/Sedition.aspx

We have brought you the definitions of Seditious Libel from two different sources for the benefit of our readers who may be asking what constitutes the offence.

Indeed …”A knife is not more dangerous in the hand of a mad man than eloquence in the mouth of a mutinous orator. “  JEAN BODIN

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