APPEAL In Defence of Free Speech We, the undersigned, believe that all open and democratic societies should acknowledge the public's right to read critical and dissenting views. Without this right, the sphere of public debate and expression is dangerously narrowed. No public figure or organisation should be exempt. Nothing should be above criticism. In February 1997 LM magazine published an article criticising ITN's award-winning footage from Trnopolje camp in Bosnia. Throughout Europe and in the United States the debate has become a matter of public interest and has been discussed widely in the media. In the UK, by contrast, the debate has been stifled because ITN issued a libel writ against the editor and publishers of LM magazine. We encourage others to join us in condemning ITN's decision to act in this manner as a deplorable attack on press freedom. We reject the threat of costly libel action and call on ITN to defend its position through free and open public debate. ITN has displayed contempt for the public's right to decide the relative merits of two sides of an important argument. We call on all those who value their freedom to join us in demanding the right to make up our own minds.   I ................ support the appeal in Defence of Free Speech. My name (and professional title) may appear publicly as a signatory to the appeal. Personal comment       Name ............................................ Professional title .............................. Address ........................................... ........................................... Date .............................. Donation ..............................(cheques payable to Off the Fence Fund) ______________________________________________ Please fill in the above, and send it to: Helene Guldberg and Claire Fox, InformInc (LM) Ltd, BM Informinc, London WC1N 3XX. For further information please phone Helene Guldberg on 0171 278 9908 (office hours) or 0958 600 366 (mobile).