Freedom of Expression in Time of War: Expanded, Restricted, Modified?

The current article offers the analysis of the permitted extent of the freedom of expression in time of war and concerning war-related issues. The research addresses the freedom of expression in the framework of the derogation clause and jurisdiction under the European Convention on Human Rights, reveals the assessment of public comments on military operations, international crimes, terrorism and other forms of violence, as well as hate speech by the European Court of Human Rights, and emphasizes a crucial role of the mass media in times of conflict. The author concludes that the freedom of expression should be neither a weapon, nor a casualty of war and, in certain sense, it could become both, – expanded and restricted in time of war, however, hardly modified, as the task remains the same: balancing freedom and order.