SHARYL ATTKISON: You think there's enough sentiment in parliament to do something about this?

IAIN DUNCAN SMITH: I know on the conservative benches and I know even probably on the liberal benches there is a sense that something has gone wrong with all of this.

SHARYL ATTKISON: Member of Parliament Alex Ballinger is with the Labour Party, the UK's version of progressive Democrats.

What are your thoughts on the idea that there could be a perception, the government could be reaching too far and trying to control, what we would consider free speech in the states?

ALEX BILLINGER: I don't think there's overreach. I think it's been slightly exaggerated in the American media. We're enforcing the law. There have been concerns that the police have been going too far in some cases, hence the number of acquittals, and I think in the last year or so, you've seen them change the guidelines over what they prosecuted. Many fewer people are being prosecuted. But if you would expect to be arrested by the police for doing that in the streets, you should be expected the police to look at you if you're doing that online.

SHARYL ATTKISON: This whole debate may feel foreign in the United States, but cracks are also appearing in America's free-speech protections. In July, police in Fort Worth, Texas actually told street preachers at a gay pride event that it's against the law to offend.

Officer: If someone is offended by your talking, then we have a problem. No, if they are offended by your speech. Ok then I'll write you a ticket and we'll go from there.

Street preacher: Wait. You're going to ticket us for offensive speech?

Officer: Yes absolutely

Street preacher: Are you serious?

Fort Worth police later admitted the officers were wrong, and announced First Amendment refresher training.

SHARYL ATTKISON: In the UK, Michael and Spofforth weren't convicted, but endured jail time, legal costs, public stigma, and career damage. What do you see in the near future for British citizens?

SPOFFORTH: I think Britain has a massive problem and I've heard people say, if everybody just says what they think, they can't put us all in prison,- that's true. But they don't need to put you in prison, do they? They just cut off your access. Or, "I'm sorry, you can't hire a car because, yeah, you've got two bad marks against you and a respect order And that's the danger. It's just about trying to quash any dissent, any dissenting views. That is what's happening in the UK.

SHARYL ATTKISON: Starting later this month, police in England and Wales can use a civil Respect Order to ban people from speech that causes-quote- harassment, alarm or distress. Violating it is a crime that can be tried by a magistrate without a jury