Press freedom group debates free speech questions in light of Paris's Charlie Hebdo massacre

OTTAWA, Jan. 29, 2015 /CNW/ - What limits do we place on the freedom of expression, and how should we accommodate religious and cultural sensitivities?

In the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo massacre, the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom (CCWPF) and Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication have gathered a panel to consider these thorny questions, which extend far beyond depictions of the Prophet Mohammed.

Our speakers include:

Karim Karim, communications professor at Carleton and director of the university's Centre for the Study of Islam;

Catherine Cano, executive director for news programs at Radio-Canada in Montreal;

Le Droit's cartoonist Guy Badeaux, a CCWPF board member;

Toby Mendel, co-founder of the Centre for Law and Democracy in Halifax and international consultant on laws involving freedom of expression.

Join us Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at Carleton University's Residence Commons, Rm. 270.  Admission is Free.

Funding has been provided by the Canadian Commission on UNESCO and Carleton University's Faculty of Public Affairs. 

The CCWPF was founded in 2008 as a non-profit group that monitors and advocates for press freedom issues nationally and globally. Each year on May 3, it draws together journalists, politicians, policy-makers and like-minded citizens at an event to mark the United Nations' Press Freedom Day. 

Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication has more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students majoring in its journalism and communication programs.

SOURCE Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom

Shawn McCarthy, 613 294-4491