Abstract
Why does free expression matter? Journalists, artists and activists talk to Index
GREEK JOURNALIST
In 2012, he was arrested after he published the ‘Lagarde list’, exposing 2000 suspected tax evaders
Freedom of expression is to be free to speak about something that someone else is free to respond to. Freedom of the press is defined by the truth as a general quest in journalism, rather than the momentary illustration of a single truth.
CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF THE TUNISIAN INTERNET AGENCY
Freedom of expression is a precious fundamental right! Its exercise begins within the family through a healthy education based on dialogue. Its worthy impacts are crucial to build a democratic country. If repressed, freedom of expression becomes a powerful weapon that can spark revolutions. Tunisia is an example.
A group of activists that lobbied the UK government for a second investigation into the Hillsborough disaster at Sheffield Wednesday stadium in 1989
Free speech and expression have helped us achieve the real truth we always knew we deserved. Despite some problems, the free media has helped our group’s campaign finally, after 23 years, to get to the truth of Hillsborough and start the wheels of justice turning.
PHOTOGRAPHER AND LGBT ACTIVIST
Freedom of expression means being able to articulate my blackness (race), gender expression (womanhood) and lesbian sexuality openly/publicly without any fear of being judged or excluded. To be able to create my work with liberty for the benefit of many in my LGBTI community and beyond but, most of all, to contest censorship of any kind using visual activism as a tool.
FILMMAKER, SAUDI ARABIA
Although I come from a country without cinema, I found my voice in filmmaking. I believe that celebrating messages of hope will help us shape our own dreams and destinies. I don’t want to waste any energy in complaining about how difficult andcomplicated things are, but hope to raise my voice high above it all to tell our stories to the world.
BAHRAINI HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SHE IS ACTING HEAD OF THE BAHRAIN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Freedom of expression is the birthright of every human being to be able to express themselves and their opinions without fear of retribution or punishment. It is the ability to express oneself without harassment, targeting or threats. As with every other right, your right to freedom of expression stops where another person’s starts and thus, although freedom of expression should be guaranteed and protected, people should have the right to defend themselves against defamation.
DUTCH CURATOR, WRITER AND CRITIC. HE WORKS IN THE NETHERLANDS AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Freedom of expression lies at the heart of a healthily functioning secular, pluralistic and civic society. Without freedom of expression and the possibility of agonism and antagonism that might flow from it, any political or emancipatory project is doomed. Moreover, curtailing freedom of expression hampers intellectual engagement and critical debate and puts an end to creativity and poetics. With freedoms come responsibilities: we might need to rub shoulders with difference, exchange or change opinions and play the complex and hard game of disagreement. It takes courage to accept positions that are not one’s own, just as much as it takes courage to contest these. Unless we want to lead our lives in colourless and homogenised greyness, enslaved like mindless robots to doctrine or dogma, we need to protect and honour freedom of expression. I for one prefer to live my life in colour.
UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON CULTURAL RIGHTS
I see freedom of opinion and expression as the springboard of human creativity: articulating spiritual and material, intellectual and emotional viewpoints as ideas, knowledge, and artistic expressions. Without this freedom we could not share the fruits of imagination and intellect gained in experiencing, engaging with and critically reflecting upon our constantly changing world; pursue knowledge or further our understanding. Freedom of expression is crucial for both democracy and the rich cultural diversity that reflects our shared humanity. The diverse opinions within and across communities must be rigorously respected, protected and promoted. While ensuring that self-expression does not incite violence or hatred, or infringe upon the human rights and dignity of others, everyone must be able to manifest their opinions and perspectives freely through actions, words and other expressions, individually and collectively, without fear of punitive actions or being ostracised by one’s own community, including when such articulations are provocative.
AZERBAIJANI HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
Freedom of expression in my opinion is very important for two things: first it’s important for the further development of society, because I think that without freedom of expression we cannot develop a full society. Secondly, freedom of expression is very important for the future development of the country. If as a society and as a people we are thinking about the good and well-developed future of our country, we really should guarantee freedom of expression.