Anti-spam legislation will not be used to curb freedom of speech, the government said yesterday.
The government intends to pass a law to fight the avalanche of unsolicited electronic messages - not hinder freedom of speech, Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen, deputy secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology told the Legislative Council's information technology and broadcasting panel.
'It is absolutely not the intention of the government [to thwart freedom of speech],' Mrs Lai said in response to lawmaker Albert Cheng King-hon's question about whether the government would use the legislation to curtail freedom of speech. 'The government has always protected and defended freedom of speech. Therefore, we will take a cautious approach when drafting the legislation.'
Mr Cheng, the panel vice-chairman, jokingly asked at the end of the meeting whether an email asking people to march on July 1 would be considered an unsolicited electronic message. Mrs Lai said the legislation would prevent the city from becoming a safe haven for illicit spammers.
It would also enhance co-operation against spammers with overseas counterparts with similar legislation.
Ninety-five per cent of unsolicited electronic messages came from overseas, she said.
