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27 Nov: ArtFreedomWales free speech hearing
Following recent free speech hearings around the world – workshops exploring the conditions necessary for free expression to flourish – Index on Censorship is coming to Cardiff to ask the question: is Wales enjoying its right to artistic freedom of expression?
Some say yes — Wales has a proud cultural heritage, a vibrant bi-lingual arts scene and a closely-knit community. Others cite concerns — too few voices, too little access, complex linguistic battles, poor infrastructure, dwindling resource.
Join voices from across Wales to make your case, to reflect on the opportunities and obstacles and to consider whether Wales could be a world centre for artistic freedom of expression?
WHERE: Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
WHEN: Thursday 27 November 2014, 2.00-5.30pm
TICKETS: £5 (contribution towards costs) available here
#ArtFreedomWales
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DRAFT PROGRAMME
2.00pm. Opening
– Freedom of Expression in Wales? Hear from the eyes of artists living in exile.
2.15pm. Evidence: Is Wales enjoying its right to artistic freedom of expression?
– Stories of opportunities, stories of obstacles – submissions invited and from the floor.
3.20pm. Taking Action: Working Groups
– Consider action around promoting Wales’ strengths and tackling Wales’ weaknesses?
4.30pm. Institutional Action: Plenary
– Reflect and deliberate on the afternoon’s discussion with a panel including
- Dai Smith (Arts Council Wales)
- John McGrath (National Theatre Wales)
- David Anderson (Museums Wales)
- Lleucu Siencyn (Literature Wales)
- Elen ap Robert (Pontio)
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ONLINE CONVERSATIONS – #ArtFreedomWales –
Hangout 1. Artists Working In Wales (Click Here for Recap Report)
Hangout 2. Artists Working In Welsh (Click Here for Recap Report and English Translation)
Hangout 3. Young Artists In Wales
Sponsored by Arts Council of Wales and Western Power
#IndexDrawTheLine: Are voting restrictions a free speech violation?
![By Rama (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.0-fr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.indexoncensorship.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2048px-Election_MG_3455.jpg)
(Photo by Rama (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.0-fr], via Wikimedia Commons)
In the recent United States midterm elections there was controversy over the Republican’s use of voting restrictions to prevent groups — who they assumed would vote Democrat — from access to the polling station. The voter ID “fraud” laws have been accused by liberals as a shady measure to attempt to reduce voting by racial and ethnic minorities. It would also affect young people who lacked the supposedly necessary identification.
Voting age is another example of an ongoing debate surrounding this issue. Sixteen-year-olds were allowed to vote in the Scottish referendum earlier this year. Since then, people have questioned whether the voting age should be reduced to 16 for the upcoming UK general election, and whether sixteen year olds are capable of making a well informed decision. And if voting is an act of free speech, does this mean prisoners should have the opportunity to vote? If voting is truly a human right should we all have the right to vote?
This article was posted on 12 November at indexoncensorship.org
#IndexDrawTheLine: Laws? When it comes to free speech, what are they good for?
In response to this month’s Draw the Line question — “Do laws restrict or protect free speech?” — members of our youth advisory board discuss the different ways laws impact free expression in their home countries.
Margot Tudor talking about UK
Alice Olsson on Sweden
Sophie Armour on the UK
This article was posted on November 01, 2014 at indexoncensorship.org