FC: Query from Dan Tynan: Why could anti-spam laws hurt free speech?

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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From: "dan tynan" <dan () cynicus com>
To: <declan () well com>
References: <5.1.1.6.0.20030123015541.026e7c38 () mail well com>
Subject: Re: Will Larry Lessig's proposed anti-spam law make spam... worse?
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 11:45:26 -0500
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declan:

I just read this thread and I have a favor to ask of you. I've spent much of
the past year researching and writing articles about spam (for cnet and
pcworld, primarily) but I do not for the life of me understand the
"anti-spam laws impede free speech" argument. spam is advertising, pure and
simple. just as advertisers don't have an intrinsic right to advertise in a
magazine or on TV (they have to 1) be able to pay for the space, and 2) meet
the magazine or tv station's standards for acceptable content), they don't
have an inherent right to advertise in my inbox. where exactly is the free
speech violation? could you post my question to your list so one of your
smart readers can tell me what I'm missing?

thanks.

daniel tynan
contributing editor, pc world
inside @cess, cnet
dan () cynicus com




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