Short answers, pulled from the story.
Ancient Athenian democracy introduced the principle of free speech in the late 6th or early 5th century BC. This concept emerged as a core component of their democratic system before any modern international law existed.
Sweden passed the Freedom of the Press Act under Anders Chydenius in 1766 which stopped censorship and introduced public access to official records. This act became one of the world's first freedom of the press laws and remained influential for centuries.
John Stuart Mill stated that the only justification for suppressing speech is to prevent harm from a clear and direct threat to others. His harm principle suggests power can rightfully exercise over any member of a civilized community only to prevent harm to others.
Many European countries outlaw speech interpreted as Holocaust denial including Austria Belgium Canada France Germany Hungary Israel Poland Russia Slovakia Switzerland and Romania.
Vladimir Putin signed fake news laws into effect on the 4th of March 2022. As of December 2022 more than 4,000 Russians were prosecuted under these laws which introduce prison sentences up to 15 years for spreading false information about Russia's military operation in Ukraine.