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In our #CommonCurrency work on freedom of expression we’re highlighting examples of: bans; calls being made to ban speakers; cancel culture; attacks on writers. We’re committed to promoting debate about what we do about these. The past couple of days offered three examples. 1/
Readings Books in Melbourne issued a statement of regret for booking Julie Bindel three years ago: https://twitter.com/readingsbooks/status/1358973500577308676?s=21 2/
Yesterday Scottish PEN issued a statement about the attacks on writer Jenny Lindsay: https://scottishpen.org/scottish-pen-statement-on-the-online-harassment-of-jenny-lindsay/?fbclid=IwAR31Al_Yku3NnWN6Ek_6mNvImpNI-yD6k3mTrwX7XAUEIg_961gm-s5EpvQ: 3/
Jenny Lindsay’s essay on her experience is online: https://www.thedarkhorsemagazine.com/anatomy-of-a-hounding-lindsay 4/
Scottish PEN said: ‘Writers should feel confident in their ability to express themselves without fear of harassment or violence. We believe that harassment in online spaces has a chilling effect on our literary culture.’ 5/
There were calls to stop Ken Loach talking about his films at an Oxford College. Oxford University Jewish Society issued this statement: 6/
Professor Judith Buchanan, master of the Oxford college said: ‘Neither St Peter’s College nor TORCH nor the university believes that no-platforming is the way to pursue goals of a free and open academic community.’ https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/outrage-as-oxford-college-holds-event-with-controversial-filmmaker-ken-loach-1.511623 7/
The college added this statement: 8/
These three examples help us explore many issues and questions - from no platforming to social media attacks on writers (and the nature of social media itself); limits on freedom of expression; how can we ensure an exchange of ideas freely and openly and more. 9/
And worth noting both Julie Bindel and Ken Loach have spoken in our festival. As have writers under attack and facing censorship. 10/end
