A central component of liberal democracy, free speech faces challenges from all directions, from Islamist death sentences to the ‘no platform’ movement in universities, writes TP O’Mahony

James Blunt’s You’re Beautiful and Corrine Baily Rae’s Put Your Records On have today been nominated for a Best Song Grammy.

The two most successful artists at the Academy of Country Music Awards continued their winning ways, with Alan Jackson capturing album of the year for Drive, as well as a video honour, and Brooks & Dunn being named top vocal duo.

Detroit rapper Eminem and veteran rocker Bruce Springsteen were the favourites to dominate today’s Grammy nominations at New York’s Madison Square Gardens.