Editing Profanity (section)

==Legality==
===Australia===
In every Australian state and territory it is a crime to use offensive, indecent or insulting language in or near a public place.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Methven |first1=Elyse |title=A Little Respect: Swearing, Police and Criminal Justice Discourse |journal=International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy |date=2018 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=58–74 |doi=10.5204/ijcjsd.v7i1.428 |url=http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/UTSLRS/2018/13.html |access-date=2 February 2021|doi-access=free |hdl=10453/127530 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> These offences are classed as [[summary offences]]. This means that they are usually tried before a local or magistrates court. Police also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to alleged offenders.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Methven |first1=Elyse |title=Commodifying Justice: Discursive Strategies Used in the Legitimation of Infringement Notices for Minor Offences |journal=International Journal for the Semiotics of Law - Revue internationale de Sémiotique juridique |date=2020 |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=353–379 |doi=10.1007/s11196-020-09710-z |s2cid=219441851 |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11196-020-09710-z |access-date=2 February 2021|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It is a defence in some Australian jurisdictions to have "a reasonable excuse" to conduct oneself in the manner alleged.<ref>{{cite web |title=Summary Offences Act 1988 (NSW) s 4A |url=http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/soa1988189/s4a.html |website=AustLII |access-date=2 February 2021}}</ref>

===Brazil===
In Brazil, the [[Penal Code of Brazil|Penal Code]] does not contain any penalties for profanity in public immediately. However, direct offenses against one can be considered a [[Defamation|crime against honor]], with a penalty of imprisonment of one to three months or a fine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://brasil.mylex.net/legislacao/codigo-penal-cp-art140_90106.html|title=Código Penal CP com jurisprudência unificada|website=brasil.mylex.net|language=pt|access-date=11 May 2018|archive-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512044024/https://brasil.mylex.net/legislacao/codigo-penal-cp-art140_90106.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The analysis of the offence is considered "subjective", depending on the context of the discussion and the relationship between the parts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://wsaraiva.com/2013/06/12/calunia-difamacao-e-injuria-os-crimes-contra-a-honra/comment-page-10/|title=Calúnia, difamação e injúria: os crimes contra a honra|date=12 June 2013|work=Blog de Wellington Saraiva|access-date=11 May 2018|language=pt-BR}}</ref>

===Canada===
Section 175 of Canada's [[Criminal Code (Canada)|Criminal Code]] makes it a criminal offence to "cause a disturbance in or near a public place" by "swearing […] or using insulting or obscene language". Provinces and municipalities may also have their laws against swearing in public. For instance, the Municipal Code of [[Toronto]] bars "profane or abusive language" in public parks.<ref>[https://teeterme.com/canada-park-swearing-law/ Canada’s Surprising Park Etiquette Law: The Ban on Public Swearing], Teeterme.</ref> In June 2016, a man in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], was arrested for using profane language at a protest against [[Bill C-51 (41st Canadian Parliament, 2nd Session)|Bill C-51]].<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/06/24/nova-scotia-man-facing-trial-for-swearing-in-public.html Nova Scotia man facing trial for swearing in public], thestar.com.</ref>

===India===
Sections 294A and 294B of Indian penal code have legal provisions for punishing individuals who use inappropriate or obscene words (either spoken or written) in public that are maliciously deliberate to outrage religious feelings or beliefs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiacode.nic.in/acts/1_Indian%20Penal%20Code,%201860.pdf|title=Indian Penal Code|date=1 May 1861|website=indiacode.nic.in|access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref> In February 2015, a local court in Mumbai asked police to file a [[first information report]] against 14 Bollywood celebrities who were part of the stage show of ''[[All India Bakchod]]'', a controversial comedy stage show known for vulgar and profanity based content.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moneylife.in/article/aib-roast-court-asks-to-file-fir-against-karan-johar-deeepika-padukone-aalia-bhat-ranvir-singh-and-arjun-kapoor/40471.html|title=AIB Roast: Court asks to file FIR against Karan Johar, Deeepika Padukone, Aalia Bhat, Ranvir Singh & Arjun Kapoor|website=Moneylife NEWS & VIEWS|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> In May 2019 during the election campaign, Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] listed out the abusive words the opposition Congress party had used against him and his mother during their campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/news/pm-modi-lists-out-abuses-hurled-at-him-says-congress-did-not-even-spare-his-mother/articleshow/69234944.cms|title=PM Modi lists out abuses hurled at him, says Congress did not even spare his mother|date=8 May 2019|author=PTI|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref>

In January 2016, a Mumbai-based communications agency initiated a campaign against profanity and abusive language called "[[Gaali free India]]" ({{transliteration|hi|gaali}} is the [[Hindi]] word for profanity).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/mam/media-and-advertising/ad-campaigns/three-ad-campaigns-to-watch-out-for-on-republic-day-160125|title=Three ad campaigns to watch out for on Republic Day|date=25 January 2016|website=Indian Television Dot Com|language=en|access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref> Using creative ads, it called upon people to use swatch (clean) language on the lines of [[Swachh Bharat Mission]] for nationwide cleanliness. It further influenced other news media outlets who further raised the issue of abusive language in the society especially incest abuses against women, such as "mother fucker".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-mother-sister-daughter-whose-gaali-is-it-anyway-2180156|title=Mother, sister, daughter... whose gaali is it anyway?|date=21 February 2016|website=DNA India|language=en|access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref>

In an increasing market for OTT content, several Indian web series have been using profanity and expletives to gain attention of the audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=vishalingale |date=1 February 2021 |title=7 Indian shows on Netflix that you should not watch with your parents |url=https://www.gqindia.com/binge-watch/collection/indian-shows-on-netflix-not-watch-parents/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN}}</ref>

===New Zealand===
In New Zealand, the ''[[Summary Offences Act 1981]]'' makes it illegal to use "indecent or obscene words in or within hearing of any public place". However, if the defendant has "reasonable grounds for believing that his words would not be overheard" then no offence is committed. Also, "the court shall have regard to all the circumstances pertaining at the material time, including whether the defendant had reasonable grounds for believing that the person to whom the words were addressed, or any person by whom they might be overheard, would not be offended".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1981/0113/latest/whole.html#DLM53500|title=Summary Offences Act 1981 No 113 (as at 01 March 2017), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation|website=www.legislation.govt.nz}}</ref>

=== Pakistan ===
Political leaders in Pakistan have been consistently picked up for using profane, abusive language. While there is no legislation to punish abusers, the problem aggravated with abusive language being used in the parliament and even against women.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2022 |title=PTI's Use Of Abusive Language To Shame Dissident Lawmakers Exposes The Party's Deep-Rooted Problem |url=https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2022/03/19/ptis-use-of-abusive-language-to-shame-dissident-lawmakers-exposes-the-partys-deep-rooted-problem/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=The Friday Times - Naya Daur |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Philippines===
{{See also|Tagalog profanity}}
[[File:Obscene Graffiti on Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine San Juan.jpg|thumb|Tagalog-language graffiti in [[San Juan, Metro Manila]], depicting a penis and the text {{lang|tl|Docdocos burat titi}}, claiming that "Docdocos" has an [[Circumcision|uncircumcised penis]].|alt=refer to caption]]

The Department of Education in the Philippine city of Baguio expressed that while cursing was prohibited in schools, children were not following this prohibition at home. Thus as part of its anti profanity initiative, in November 2018, the [[Baguio]] city government in the Philippines passed an anti profanity law that prohibits cursing and profanity in areas of the city frequented by children. This move was welcomed by educators<ref name=PNA/> and the Department of Education in Cordillera.<ref name=PNA>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1053326|title=Educators only have good words for Baguio's anti-cursing law|work=[[Philippine News Agency]]|language=en|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/07/18/bawal-magmura-anti-profanity-ordinance-passed-in-baguio|title=Bawal magma: Anti-profanity ordinance passed in Baguio|date=7 November 2018|work=[[ABS-CBNnews.com]]|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>

===Russia===
Swearing in public is an administrative crime in Russia. However, law enforcement rarely targets swearing people. The punishment is a fine of 500–1000 roubles or even a 15-day imprisonment.<ref>The Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, 20:1.</ref>

===United Kingdom===
====In public====
Swearing, in and of itself, is not usually a [[crime|criminal offence]] in the [[United Kingdom]] although in context may constitute a component of a crime. However, it may be a criminal offence in [[Salford Quays]] under a [[public spaces protection order]] which outlaws the use of "foul and abusive language" without specifying any further component to the offence, although it appears to be unclear as to whether all and every instance of swearing is covered. [[Salford City Council]] claims that the defence of "reasonable excuse" allows all the circumstances to be taken into account.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2016-03-02/salford-council-tries-to-outlaw-swearing-at-the-quays/|title=Salford Council tries to outlaw swearing at The Quays|date=2 March 2016}}</ref> In [[England and Wales]], swearing in public where it is seen to cause [[harassment, alarm or distress]] may constitute an offence under section 5(1) and (6) of the [[Public Order Act 1986]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64|title=Public Order Act 1986|publisher=Legislation.gov.uk|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> In [[Scotland]], a similar common law offence of [[breach of the peace]] covers issues causing public alarm and distress.

====In the workplace====
In the United Kingdom, swearing in the workplace can be an act of [[Misconduct|gross misconduct]] under certain circumstances. In particular, this is the case when swearing accompanies insubordination against a superior or humiliation of a subordinate employee. However, in other cases, it may not be grounds for instant dismissal.<ref>[http://www.lindermyers.co.uk/is-swearing-in-the-workplace-legal/ Swearing in the Workplace]. Retrieved 19 November 2012.</ref> According to a UK site on work etiquette, the "fact that swearing is a part of everyday life means that we need to navigate away through a day in the office without offending anyone, while still appreciating that people do swear. Of course, there are different types of swearing and, without spelling it out, you really ought to avoid the 'worst words' regardless of who you're talking to".<ref name="worketiquette">[http://www.worketiquette.co.uk/swearing-workplace.html Work Etiquette&nbsp;– Swearing in the Workplace]. Retrieved 19 November 2012</ref> Within the UK, the appropriateness of swearing can vary largely by a person's industry of employment, though it is still not typically used in situations where employees of a higher position than oneself are present.<ref name="worketiquette" />

In 2006, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that "36% of the 308 UK senior managers and directors having responded to a survey accepted swearing as part of workplace culture", but warned about specific inappropriate uses of swearing such as when it is discriminatory or part of bullying behaviour. The article ended with a quotation from Ben Wilmott (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development): "Employers can ensure professional language in the workplace by having a well-drafted policy on bullying and harassment that emphasises how bad language has potential to amount to [[harassment]] or [[bullying]]."<ref>{{cite news|author=Matt Keating|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2006/jun/03/careers.work|title=Should swearing be tolerated in the workplace?|newspaper=Guardian|date=3 June 2006|access-date=12 May 2010|location=London}}</ref>

===United States===
{{See also|Actionable indecency|United States obscenity law}}
[[File:Virginia Beach No-Bad-Behavior sign.jpg|thumb|right|Local law in [[Virginia Beach]] prohibits the use of profanity along the boardwalk of Atlantic Avenue]]
In the United States, courts have generally ruled that the government does not have the right to prosecute someone solely for the use of an expletive, which would be a violation of their [[freedom of speech|right to free speech]] enshrined in the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]]. On the other hand, they have upheld convictions of people who used profanity to incite riots, harass people, or [[breach of the peace|disturb the peace]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://people.howstuffworks.com/swearing3.htm |title=How Swearing Works |website=HowStuffWorks |first=Tracy V. |last=Wilson|date=30 November 2005 }}</ref> In 2011, a [[North Carolina]] statute that made it illegal to use "indecent or profane language" in a "loud and boisterous manner" within earshot of two or more people on any public road or highway was struck down as unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/states-anti-profanity-law-unconstitutional-rules-superior-court-judge |title=State's Anti-Profanity Law Unconstitutional Rules Superior Court Judge |website=ACLU |date=7 January 2011}}</ref> In 2015, the city of [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]] passed an ordinance that makes profane language punishable with fines up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wlos.com/news/local/watch-your-mouth-profanity-could-cost-you-in-myrtle-beach|title=Watch your mouth! Profanity could cost you in Myrtle Beach|author=WPDE Staff|date=27 August 2018|website=WLOS|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> An amount of $22,000 was collected from these fines in 2017 alone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/myrtle-beach-profanity-fines-swearing-tickets-south-carolina-a8515016.html|title=A beach in South Carolina made over $22,000 by charging people for swearing|date=30 August 2018|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>