Right to punish mobile phone cinema bores

I agree with the letter from Thea White ('Mobile phone fines would help teach respect', South China Morning Post, September 4).

Certain cinema-goers are totally discourteous in disregarding others' rights. Even after requests for silence from ushers, I have seen patrons continue loud phone conversations during movies.

Under present regulations, cinema operators are powerless to do anything about this. I believe that should a fine be imposed and enforced for using a mobile phone within the environs of the screening area (in the same way as the 'no smoking' law was imposed and enforced), this problem would rapidly diminish.

There are those who argue that the banning of mobile phone usage within a theatre affects the user's rights and needs, such as the need for people on call to be able to receive an emergency call wherever they are.

This argument does not hold water. That person could easily arrange a vibration-style silent ringer to inform him that he had received a call and then go outside to make the call back.

Further, when one's rights (to receive phone calls) negatively affect the rights of others (to enjoy a film in relative silence), then that person must give up his right for the sake of the majority's (the other cinema-goers') right.