Panel debate: "Racism, freedom of expression and Islam"

October 20 2020

The Fritt Ord Foundation’s project “Islam in Norway” hosted an open panel discussion at the House of Literature on Tuesday 20 October 2020. The event was also streamed live.

How can hatred of Muslims be explained, and what would be a good way to deal with racist statements? How is racism against Muslims covered in the Norwegian media? What role do religious and secular Muslim communities play in mitigating antagonisms between Muslim and Anti-Muslim groups?

Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB

Programme

Islam and the Far Right – introduction by Lars Erik Berntzen, post-doctoral research fellow at the Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen

Discussion featuring Harald S. Klungtveit, editor-in-chief of Filter Nyheter and author of the book “Neo-nazis among us”, Begard Reza, secretary general of Salam, Senaid Kobilica, head imam and leader of the Muslim Dialogue Network Norway, Linda Noor, managing director of Minotenk – Minority Political Think Tank and Kai Spurkland, public prosecutor for the Oslo Police District.

The moderator will be Yama Wolasmal, journalist and programme host at NRK, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.

The live event at the House of Literature was fully booked, but the conversation was streamed live here on the Fritt Ord Foundation’s website.

News

Civitates' Tech & Democracy open call

March 6 2025

Civitates – The European Democracy Fund is a pooled philanthropic fund that was set up in 2018 for the sole purpose of addressing democratic decline and closing civic space in Europe. The case for confronting these threats is growing increasingly urgent. Fritt Ord Foundation is one of the initiators and partners of Civitates.

Civitates has launched its Tech and Democracy open call to support organisations working to ensure safer, more inclusive online spaces (social media platforms, search engines etc.) by improving the enforcement of EU tech regulations at the national level.

This open call offers a unique opportunity to strengthen civil society’s role in holding the tech sector accountable, with a focus on key EU regulations such as the Digital Services Act, GDPR, AI Act or the European Media Freedom Act to name a few.

Call for nominations: Free Media Awards 2025

March 3 2025

In collaboration with the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS of Hamburg, the Fritt Ord Foundation has allocated the Free Media Awards annually since 2004 to Eastern European journalists and media that defy every obstacle to tirelessly ensure independent press coverage. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the subsequent wave of disinformation clearly demonstrates the need for independent reporting in the region. Journalists and media in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and Hungary that promote freedom of the press through their investigative and independent reporting are eligible to be nominated for the Free Media Awards.

Art and Institutions: “I Demand a Museum to Feel its Own Floors Tremble When Other Museums are Destroyed in War”

February 12 2025

Saturday 22 February 2025 at Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, from 14.30 to 16.30 h.

Conversation with Adam Budak (Poland/Germany), Stefanie Carp (Germany), Matej Drlička (Slovakia), Andrea Geyer (USA) og Sarah Lookofsky (USA/Norway). Ingerid Salvesen is moderator.

Across the world, cultural institutions are under increasing pressure. Censorship, self-censorship, drastic funding cuts, and political and sponsorship interference are on the rise. Former and present institutional directors – with personal experiences of political pressure, cancellation and censorship from different geographic contexts – will discuss the limitations and capacities of art institutions in the present.

Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute to Sara Gaulin

February 5 2025

Sarah Gaulin (30) is being awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for her courageous and principled defence of freedom of expression in the face of extremism, gang crime and negative social control.
As a prominent voice, Gaulin has drawn attention to some of the most demanding and controversial social challenges of our time.