Freedom of expression losing ground in the world of academia
August 22 2016
Universities and colleges have been among the most tolerant locations for critical debates and discourse. That is in the process of changing rapidly – without the phenomenon having attracted attention in Norway:
On US campuses, the tolerance for freedom of expression is being reduced and censorship of reading lists and lecturers is spreading in the wake of numerous student campaigns. In Turkey, thousands of university employees were fired after the attempted coup in July. The University of Cape Town in South Africa recently cancelled an invitation to Flemming Rose to deliver a keynote address because they thought it would be “provocative”. In Europe, the demand for “trigger warnings” in respect of art and syllabus literature is gaining momentum.
What price will society pay for curtailing free speech in the world of academia, where any and all ideas and insights should be discussed critically and openly?
Welcome to a debate meeting concerning the pressures being exerted on academic freedom of expression.
Fritt Ord, Uranienborgveien 2, 0258 Oslo.
Monday, 22 August 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Brief introductions:
Flemming Rose, author and former editor of the newspaper Jyllands-Posten
Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) and the USA’s most prominent activist for academic freedom of expression
Brief comment about the situation in Norway:
Ragnhild Øien Guldvog, national coordinator for Scholars at Risk Norway
To be followed by discourse and discussion.
Moderator:
Knut Olav Åmås, executive director of the Fritt Ord Foundation
The event will take place in English.
Advanced registration is required. Register by 12 noon on Friday, 19 August at the latest by email to registering@frittord.no.
Update:
Footage from the debate has now been published on the Fritt Ord Youtube channel.