258 CASE REVIEW FREEDOM OF SPEECH AS IT IS: TALKING ABOUT A FRENCH COMEDIAN, US OFFICIAL AND THE RUSSIAN TRUTH By Mariа Zakharova Author PhD (Law), Kutafi n Moscow State Law University, 2005 Head of a research center at Kutafi n Moscow State Law University and Associate Member at University of Bordeaux E-mail: avis_777@mail.ru Abstract The declaration of freedom of speech used to be a milestone event for the legal world. <...> It has paramount importance for the development of both national legal systems and political order. <...> For a long time Russia trailed behind world liberal trends and initiatives in this regard. <...> In the 19th century tough Imperial state regime did not allow it to generate freedom of the press in its legal arenas. <...> And even in the 20th century, pro-Marxist authoritarian attitudes suppressed the development of a liberal legal system. <...> In many ways, only the events of the end of the last millennium, involving changes in social structure, made it possible for Russia to merge with world humanitarian standards. <...> This article investigates modern aspects of constitutional legal regulation of press freedom in Russia. <...> The author draws parallels with the legislature of other countries, emphasizing legal and social practices that have taken shape on the issue in question. <...> The current review considers applying provisions, regarding freedom of speech and press, by courts both in Russia and foreign countries. <...> Keywords Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, Constitution, Constitutional Law, civil rights, French Council of State, US Supreme Court, Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, the press www.kulawr.ru Volume 1 December 2014 Issue 2 KUTAFIN UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW Freedom Of Speech As it is: Alking About a French Comedian, Us Offi cial and the Russian Truth 259 Mariа Zakharova The freedom of speech is a prerequisite for ensuring human individuality and personal freedom. <...> More than a century ago O.W. Holmes wrote, “The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fi re in a theatre and causing a panic.” Even earlier, in his “Speech for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing to the Parliament of England” (1644) John Milton declared, “The State <...>