Right of reply undermines press freedom

INQUIRER COLUMNIST Oscar Franklin Tan nailed it in “VP has no right to demand right to reply” (Front Page, 3/21/16). A legal principle that safeguards freedom of speech and expression is the principle of no prior restraint—that is, no person may be restrained from speaking, or writing. There is another principle of equal weight: no person may be compelled to speak, or, to write.

With reference to the press, specifically print media, the principle is also known as editorial judgment, with good reason. Because of this, to demand publication of a reply would amount to compelled speech.

—JO IMBONG, [email protected]