Non-speak week

TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Concerned at the deepening chill on freedom of expression in Canada, PEN Canada today launched a week of events, commentary and public discussion devoted to current national freedom of expression challenges. Through partnerships with the Canadian Science Writers Association, Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, and the Huffington Post, our inaugural Non-Speak Week (October 11 -17) will focus on the following national issues:

• digital freedom
• muzzling of publicly funded science
• access to information / freedom of information
• threats to charitable status
• libel chill
• freedom of assembly
• government attempts to defund critical voices

Members of the public are invited to the following events.

Monday October 15^th - Freedom of Expression Online, Perspectives from Canada and the World
PEN Canada and the Citizen Lab examine freedom of expression and censorship in the online world. How are writers, journalists, and bloggers navigating online spaces? How are governments responding to these changes? Where does Canada sit among its peers in maintaining a free market for ideas and opinion?

The discussion will be moderated by Ronald Deibert | Director, The Canada Centre for Global Security Studies and the Citizen Lab, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto.

Panelists
Luis Najera, Scotiabank/CJFE Journalism Fellow at Massey College and a Research Fellow at Citizen Lab
Alejandro Pisanty, professor at UNAM, the National University of Mexico, former vice Chair of the ICANN Board of Directors, and a member of the Working Group on Internet Governance
Russell Smith, novelist, co-founder of the online men's magazine DailyXY.com, and Globe and Mail culture columnist.

Wednesday October 17^th - Sci-lenced
PEN Canada and the Canadian Science Writers Association (CSWA) will consider the federal government's recent actions to prevent government scientists from speaking to the media.  What are the implications for science and society when information isn't shared openly?

The discussion will be moderated by Bruce Walsh, Board Member, PEN Canada.

Panelists
Prof. L. D. Danny Harvey, Department of Geography, University of Toronto
Stephen Strauss, President of the Canadian Science Writers Association
Pippa Wysong, award-winning science, technology and medical journalist, and CSWA board member

An exploration of these issues will also be taking place through a series of articles, stories, and video, posted daily on each of the seven identified issues at the Huffington Post Canada.  Contributors include:

Charlie Foran, President, PEN Canada
Trish Hennessy, Director, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Brian MacLeod Rogers, Media Lawyer
Pasha Malla, Award winning writer
Toby Mendel, Executive Director, Centre for Law and Democracy
Philip Slayton, Board Member, PEN Canada
Stephen Strauss, President, Canadian Science Writers Association

SOURCE: PEN Canada

Brendan de Caires: Programs & Communications
[email protected]
416 .703.8448 x 21