Melnyk A. International legal regulation of freedom of expression.

Scientific work allowed to summarize the establishment of theoretical and methodological approaches to the solution of the problems of international legal regulation of the right of freedom of expression; the notion of "freedom of expression" was defined as a subjective natural law, which has an absolute character and includes the person's ability to search, receive and distribute information, ideas (views, beliefs, concepts) in any form (orally, in writing, by means of print or artistic expressions or by other means of choice) and manifest in active and passive behavior. It is argued that the first norms regulating freedom of expression have arisen a long time ago - even in the period of the formation of the first states. This happened in parallel with the process of improving the concept of protecting human rights through the consolidation in the national legislation of ideas developed by scholars - philosophers and lawyers. An important role here was played by religious norms, since they provided for this right. And it is the philosophical analysis and criticism of their content that were the basis for philosophical concepts, which were later transformed into national law, and hence into international law. The main stages of formation and development of legal regulation of this right are highlighted.