Ayup!
...but we have the freedom (and I'd argue responsibility) to say, "Dude, not COOL!" when we hear or read objectionable stuff.
This.
I'll say I'm not sure what a "lad mag" is. Are they the British equivalent of magazines like Playboy or Penthouse, or are they something else?
I mean, magazines that feature scantily clad or naked women, pornographic fantasies that reduce women to sex objects, forums where men express deplorable views and all that are nothing new. And there have always been concern by feminists about the effects they have on male attitudes about women and rape. I'd say it's a legitimate concern, but aside from frank discussion and making it clear that these attitudes are deplorable, I'm not sure what can be done without compromising the free press. Freedom of the press means you have the right to publish horrific stuff if you can find a private venue willing to do so, or to start your own publication.
Even the KKK would be allowed to publish a magazine here in the US.
The limit, so far as I know, is for cases of libel, slander, overt threats, or anything that could be considered a plot or concrete plan to cause harm to someone or commit a crime. There are cases that can be considered harassment or intimidation as well, but that can become really sticky.
I believe from other discussions we've had on the forums here, that the UK has anti hate speech laws, while the US does not as such (or the threshold for such is much higher here), though workplaces and schools are
supposed to be free of harassment and discrimination, and the government can impose sanctions if they are not.
