Pressing Freedoms: Managing Creative Liberties in a multi-faith and multi-cultural context

28 June - 1 July 2006

Cyprus

CONCEPT

Th 9th ASEF Talks on the Hill meeting will bring together 15 experts from Asia and Europe, representing diverse perspectives, professions and from various cultures and religious backgrounds for a two-day brainstorming debate.

Balancing the freedom of the media and artistic creativity can be a very difficult and arduous task especially when approaching topics related to race, religion and the culture of certain communities. On numerous occasions in both Asia and Europe, artistic creations and media reports (including art exhibitions, plays, news articles and novels) that have been seen to be controversial or insulting to a particular community have resulted in deep offence among certain segments of the population, severe clashes, arrests, threats and even death.

On one hand, the freedom of the media and artistic freedom is a strongly defended principle in most societies - and in fact, a cornerstone of democracy. Art has traditionally been seen as a space of neutrality beyond the boundaries of government, and indeed, most governments are reluctant to involve themselves in the everyday running and affairs of the media and/or artists.   

Some of the topics that will be addressed during this meeting include:

•  The major issues and experiences of this topic, and the situation in the various countries of ASEM.

Can there be an international dialogue on issues that are so intrinsically tied to particular religions, ethnic groups or communities? Is there a possibility for a harmonisation of ideas that are deemed acceptable and unacceptable? What is the distinction between free speech and free press and artistic creation? Can international organisations or regional groupings have a space in defining the future of this dynamic - much as they have done in the fields of human rights and labour laws?   

•  Defining the role of the government: legal systems, blasphemy and censorship   
Despite ideological support for the freedom of the press and creativity, most countries have laws against expressions of racist, violent and/or as otherwise defined insulting and provocative sentiments. However, in many cases, biases may sometimes result in more "protection" for certain religions, historical narratives and communities than others.   

In a situation of conflict, what is the role of the government? Most governments profess to be uninvolved in art and press, but they invariably get drawn in as protests and threats erupt.

•  Now what? Reconciliation and moving forward positively:
When tensions arise or conflicts erupt due to deep-seated feelings of insult or anger, wide chasms can develop between various segments of a population and even between countries. Once these hostilities set in, it can be difficult to prevent further tensions and often lead to prolonged difficulties between certain groups.   

Often, issues that strain up the delicate relationship between two or more communities can very quickly take on political overtones and morph into a larger "clash of civilisations." How can this be prevented? What are the possible avenues for reconciliation? Who are the actors that should involve themselves in this? Participants will be invited to share their personal experiences in analysing the various models of reconciliation and their application in the various countries of ASEM.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

In meeting the objective of serving as a mechanism to inform and deliver civil society recommendations to the governments of ASEM, the final report of this meeting will be tailored towards real policy issues and will be disseminated widely to the relevant Ministries and agencies. The final report will also be posted online on this website . Eventually, the material from this "Talks on the Hill" will also contribute towards the ASEF annual Cultures & Civilisations Dialogue publication .