A message originator, such as an author of an email, can designate “section access settings” which can selectively permit or deny access of portions of the email's content. Recipients who are not authorized may not exercise the access right upon the designated portion of content. For example, an access right may allow displaying a section of text in an email message only for specified recipients and not to other recipients. In a preferred embodiment, the entire email content, including restricted portions, is provided to all recipients, including unauthorized recipients. Unauthorized recipients are prevented from exercising the access right even though the restricted portion has been received.