VII. Explain the italicized grammar constructions in the following sentences

1. This used to be typical of many of the socialist countries of Eastern Europe before 1989.

2. Many governments admit that they restrict expression but justify their actions as being in the interest of the majority of people.

3. Passing military secrets to a foreign government, for example, may bring prosecution for treason – the crime for trying to betray a state.

4. It is interesting that the countries which restrict freedom of expression least tend to be those which are the most economically developed.

5. In many ways, this is similar to the legislation against threatening words, referring to situations in which members of racial minority are subjected to verbal abuse.

VIII. Work out your own opinion on the following statements.

1. The mass media must be controlled by the state.

2. You are allowed to say and write whatever you want.

3. Nobody must interfere with works of art.

4. Lots of modern books and films can be hardly called “works of art”.

5. Censorship prevents people from making profits by producing pornographic materials.

IX. Meet as one group. Discuss freedom of speech and expression in Russia. Make a conclusion whether the situation has changed to the better or to the worse for the period after 2000.

X. Work as two groups. The first group should set arguments for strict censorship in press and on TV, the second should set arguments against censorship and for complete freedom of speech and expression.