Advertisers Promote Free Speech

The World Federation of Advertisers, meeting in Stockholm last week, has expressed concern over what it see as mounting threats to freedom of speech and commercial communication in a number of countries, including some members of the EU.

The WFA is urging all governments in the EU to support the Green Paper on Commercial Communication, calling for the removal of unreasonable barriers to commercial communication between member states. It condemns those groups who think that they can enjoy economic prosperity within the EU without free commercial speech.

The WFA also calls upon all parties to recognise the key role played by free commercial communication in achieving the objectives of the European Treaties and the establishment of a single market.

Speaking in Stockholm, WFA’s president, Malcolm Earnshaw said: “As communication is the key to building a market and to meeting the needs of our customers we must ensure that we are free to communicate with consumers. We know how essential this is to a free, open market where all of us can compete fairly.”

WFA: Brussels 322 502 57 40