FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOR SCRIPTWRITERS AND PRODUCERS

Early day motion 822, tabled 2 March 2005 by Lord Cryer (Labour). Signed by 30 members.

That this House upholds the right to freedom of expression and supports the right of scriptwriters and theatre and television producers to continue to offer audiences challenging works without fear of harassment; condemns the strident demands for censorship by extremist groups, for example against the writer and producers of the play 'Bezhti'; calls on the Government to uphold the importance of democratic principles in the arts; further condemns the issuing of threats against staff at the BBC by Christian Voice coinciding with the broadcast of 'Jerry Springer the Opera'; condemns the behaviour of Christian Voice in pressurising the cancer charity, Maggie Centre, further into refusing a donation from the production company of 'Jerry Springer the Opera' and is deeply concerned at this group's threat to target abortion clinics; and calls on the Home Secretary to investigate the activities of Christian Voice.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 3, Plaid Cymru 1.