What reasons are there for freedom of expression and for particular limits to this freedom? The official rationales for the Danish laws on blasphemy and hate speech are sketched, and three general justifications for freedom of expression are considered with respect to whether they permit limitations of this freedom. The so-called harm principle is then discussed, which is often assumed to preclude limits on freedom of expression such as those found in the Danish ban on hate speech. The harm principle does not preclude such limits, however, but a full defence of the ban requires a broader justification, and recognition of the equal worth or status of minorities is considered as a possible candidate. On this basis the case of the Danish Mohammad cartoons and the Danish public prosecutor's refusal of raising charges of hate speech against Jyllands-Posten is discussed.