Gavin Ellis discusses the implications of the Harmful Digital Communications Act - and whether the legislation will be used in attempts to stifle free speech; and whether gossip columnists have too much leeway, this in the light of the recent actions of Rachel Glucina and Pebbles Hooper causing their publications acute embarrassment. Gavin Ellis is a media commentator and former editor of the New Zealand Herald. He can be contacted on gavin.ellis@xtra.co.nz