The Norwegian capital’s National Museum and the Oslo Freedom Forum will hold the ‘Take Liberty’ event at the National Gallery. Various scholars will discuss how freedom of expression in Europe can be taken for granted. Particularly, in comparison to other societies which do not have the same freedom. Speakers who have been invited to talk at the lecture include Hungary’s Barnabás Bencsik (HU), Turkey’s Vasif Kortun, and Anda Rottenberg from Poland. They will discuss the development of art institutions in their respective countries. During the seminar, each lecture will provide a detailed insight addressing the scope of contributions to the art scenes, and the responsibility of curators to promote its integrity. The artists speaking at the seminar have worked across the international field of the contemporary art scene. Based on their experience, they will provide lectures from a broader transnational point of view regarding visual art and … [Read more...] about Europe visual arts and freedom of expression seminar in Oslo
Freedom of expression
Stronger freedom of expression
The new Media and Defamation Bill is now at its final stages as it has reached unanimous approval at committee stage. This Bill is historic. It provides an unprecedented freedom to our country’s journalists, media practitioners and citizen-journalists and guarantees the safeguarding of freedom of speech. It builds upon crucial reforms done during the last legislature through which freedom of artistic expression was strengthened considerably. At the time the Opposition had branded the anti-censorship bill as an exercise of 'ksuhat' (stupidity). A couple of years afterwards, we were proven right. The new media bill is the second step in the two-pronged vision for increased freedom of expression. Reforms for a stronger democracy Through the new media reforms, Malta has truly opened its doors to freedom of expression, thus further strengthening our democracy. During the past two years, Government has been in constant consultation with stakeholders (including OSCE) … [Read more...] about Stronger freedom of expression
Media bill ‘second phase’ in opening freedom of expression; Minister defends anti-SLAPP rejection
The Media and Defamation Bill presented today is the government’s second phase in its commitment to open up laws on freedom of expression, with the third seeking to regulate the journalism profession itself, Minister Bonnici told a press conference at Parliament this morning. The first, he said, was the opening up of censorship laws and removal of the vilification of religion in the previous legislature. Bonnici, who was accompanied by OPM Communication Head Kurt Farrugia, also defended the government’s decision to follow the advice of four legal experts and reject the Anti-SLAPP amendment proposed by the Opposition in yesterday evening Consideration of Bills Committee meeting. The Media and Defamation Bill was presented last November, after a previous attempt at such a law by the government caused controversy. Through the law, it will longer be possible for an individual to file 10 libel suits on 10 separate stories which deal in the same allegedly libellous claim, … [Read more...] about Media bill ‘second phase’ in opening freedom of expression; Minister defends anti-SLAPP rejection
Warning over chilling impact on ‘freedom of expression’ if social media regulation unchecked
Social media technology giant, Twitter, has suggested growing efforts to clamp down on 'undesirable content' on social media will inevitably impact 'freedom of expression' online.In its latest transparency report, under a section titled ‘Legal Threats to Freedom of Expression,’ the company suggested new legislation and ongoing regulatory discussions taking place around the world about the future of public discourse online will have "a potential chilling effect with regards to freedom of expression.” The statement went on: "According to Human Rights Watch, the wave of regulatory pressure in Europe and beyond is setting an emerging precedent and creating a “domino effect” as “governments around the world increasingly look to restrict online speech by forcing social media companies to act as their censors.”"As regulators explore further potential restrictions, transparency is one of the most important ways we can continue to protect freedom of … [Read more...] about Warning over chilling impact on ‘freedom of expression’ if social media regulation unchecked
‘Chilling effect’: Twitter sees regulation of social media as threat to ‘freedom of expression’
The US social media giant Twitter has complained that growing efforts to clamp down on undesirable content are indirectly discouraging a healthy exchange of ideas online. “With the passage of new legislation and ongoing regulatory discussions taking place around the world about the future of public discourse online, we are seeing a potential chilling effect with regards to freedom of expression,” the company said, under the section titled ‘Legal Threats to Freedom of Expression,’ published Thursday in its latest transparency report. In the US legal context, a “chilling effect” occurs when just the fear of violating a law forces citizens to restrain themselves from doing perfectly legal things, in this case amounting to self-censorship. To back up its argument, Twitter cited Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticism of Germany’s revamped social media law, implemented in January, which threatens social media platforms with fines of up to €50 … [Read more...] about ‘Chilling effect’: Twitter sees regulation of social media as threat to ‘freedom of expression’