Hostility to press freedom and journalistic independence is growing across the Commonwealth.
Journalists face increasing obstruction and even physical danger.
So how is this 52-nation group responding to these new threats which challenge democracy and human rights as much as freedom of speech?
These issues will be examined at The Commonwealth and Challenges to Media Freedom conference at Senate House (4–5 April), which brings together leading journalists, academics, lawyers, magistrates, judges, policymakers and human rights practitioners.
It is organised by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the School of Advanced Study, University of London, as the inaugural event of the School’s Centre of Commonwealth and Media Freedom.
‘Freedom of speech is an integral part of a functioning democracy, and in these days of big shifts, there is even more of a need for investigative journalists to hold the powerful toaccount’, explains Dr Sue Onslow, conference convenor and deputy director of the Instituteof Commonwealth Studies.
‘But across the Commonwealth there are multiple pressures on media freedoms: from shifting technology delivery, governments and their allies, hostile groups, criminal networks,as well as poor legal protection and from media professionals themselves.
This is a particularly timely meeting, to discuss current common challenges and to contribute to debates within the Commonwealth on ways forward.’
-
Among confirmed speakers are Baroness Patricia Scotland, the first British citizen to beelected secretary-general of the Commonwealth in its 66-year history, and leading medialawyer Mark Stephens.They will be joined by representatives from some 13 Commonwealth countries and top UK publications such as The Sunday Times and The Telegraph to address government interference and restrictions in countries such as Malaysia, South Africa, Botswana, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.Other debate topics focus on the challenges journalists, bloggers and social media usersface in Kashmir, Pakistan and Bangladesh, a post-Levenson UK and regional threats andpersonal violence in India.The Commonwealth and Challenges to Media Freedom conference is sponsored by theSchool of Advanced Study, Asian Affairs, The Commonwealth Press Union Media Trust and The Round Table/the Commonwealth journal of international affairs.EndsNotes to Editors:1. For all enquiries, please contact: Maureen McTaggart, Media and Public RelationsOfficer, School of Advanced Study, University of London +44 (0)20 78628859 / maureen.mctaggart@sas.ac.uk.2. The Institute of Commonwealth Studies (ICWS) is the only postgraduateacademic institution in the UK devoted to the study of the Commonwealth. Foundedin 1949, its purpose is to promote interdisciplinary and inter-regional research on theCommonwealth and its member nations in the fields of history, politics and othersocial sciences. Its areas of specialism include international development,governance, human rights, north–south relations and conflict and security. TheInstitute of Commonwealth Studies is a member institute of the School of AdvancedStudy, University of London. www.commonwealth.sas.ac.uk or follow the institute onTwitter at @ICWS_SAS
-
3. The School of Advanced Study (SAS), University of London is the UK’s nationalcentre for the promotion and support of research in the humanities. SAS and itsmember institutes offer unparalleled academic opportunities, facilities and stimulationacross a wide range of subject areas for the benefit of the national and internationalscholarly community. In 2015-16, SAS: welcomed 786 research fellows andassociates; held 2,007 research dissemination events; received 24.4 million visits toits digital research resources and platforms; and received 194,145 visits to itsspecialist libraries and collections. The School also leads the UK’s only nationwidefestival of the humanities: Being Human. Find out more at http://www.sas.ac.uk or followSAS on Twitter at @SASNews.4. The University of London is a federal University and is one of the oldest, largestand most diverse universities in the UK. Established by Royal Charter in 1836, theUniversity is recognised globally as a world leader in Higher Education. Its membersare 18 self-governing member institutions of outstanding reputation, and nineresearch institutes. Learn more about the University of Londonat http://www.london.ac.uk
