Free Speech Not Threatened

First published: 20^th July 2007

May I remind T. F. So of OFTA (Letters 20th July) that, during the public consultation on the UEM Bill, the view was also put that limiting the regulation to commercial messages was unnecessary.

Regulating unsolicited messages does not restrict Freedom of Speech and Expression any more than the laws of trespass. I do not have the right to enter your lounge and preach at you; if I stood up in the middle of a performance at a cinema or theatre to lecture the audience, I would be removed, but we do not consider these restrictions on freedom of speech.

The Government was wrong to include these unnecessary limitations on the UEM Bill, we should all, individuals, companies, charities, religious organisations and the government, be subject to the same rules on acceptable use of electronic messaging.