Legal Standards on Criticism of Government and Public Officials

Freedom of expression in regard to criticism directed toward government or public officials is faced with some challenges. On one hand, it reveals potential or actual deficiencies and failures in their actions, decisions or institutions. Hence, it would be very constructive and beneficial to the public interest. On the other hand, through criticism, there might be potential false or unproved attributions which can be considered as defamatory, subversive or revolutionary statements. This essay tries to elaborate the legal standards based on international experiences and Islamic law, which seems to be proper for making balance between political speeches and protection of reputation of public officials or public trust to government. For this purpose, in the first chapter, theoretical basis for extensive protection of political speeches and in the second part, balance-standards are identified and studied.