Scotland to launch new hate speech law on April Fool’s Day that will jail people for up to 7 years

Scotland will enact a controversial hate crime law that will punish speech and sharing offensive rhetoric on social media, jailing offenders for up to seven years.

The government's official explanatory notes warn that one can be prosecuted for "stirring up hatred" by voicing or sharing offensive rhetoric across a variety of media, including, "Displaying, publishing or distributing the material e.g. on a sign; on the internet through websites, blogs, podcasts, social media etc., either directly, or by forwarding or repeating material that originates from a third party; through printed media such as magazine publications or leaflets, etc. Giving, sending, showing or playing the material to another person e.g. through online streaming, by email, playing a video, through public performance of a play, etc."  Alexander Hall is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Alexander.hall@fox.com.

Those convicted of "stirring up hatred" in such ways could be fined and face a prison sentence of up to seven years.