Anyone interested in free expression will be anticipating Hillary Clinton’s speech on web freedom today, particularly as in light of recent events throughout the Middle East, it seems that one cannot really talk about web freedom without meaning, well, freedom freedom.

Clinton is expected to say:

“Together, the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association online comprise what I have called the freedom to connect. The United States supports this freedom for people everywhere, and we have called on other nations to do the same… “

The speech continues:

“We are convinced that an open Internet fosters long-term peace, progress and prosperity. The reverse is also true. An Internet that is closed and fractured, where different governments can block activity or change the rules on a whim—where speech is censored or punished, and privacy does not exist—that is an Internet that can cut off opportunities for peace and progress and discourage innovation and entrepreneurship…”

There is a certain irony to the privacy comments, with Clinton’s speech coming on the same day that the US is attempting to force Twitter to hand over details of Wikileaks-linked users.

Index will be publishing reaction to the speech from a range of experts, plus the full text of the speech. In the meantime, here are some snippets, courtesy of Politico’s Laura Rozen.