Intellectual Freedom
The Issue
Intellectual freedom is the right of everyone to hold and express opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which the many sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored. Intellectual freedom is recognized by the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19, as a basic human right.
Why It Matters
Democracy is an ongoing conversation – a public discourse – about what is legitimate and what is illegitimate. That public discourse must necessarily and in important respects be exempt from majoritarian regulation as to content or viewpoint. Both the right to express ideas and opinions and to have the freedom to hear and receive others’ ideas and opinions is the foundation of meaningful public discourse and democracy.
Our Work
The Centre for Free Expression promotes public discussion of the importance of intellectual freedom. In cases where intellectual freedom is being challenged, the Centre provides advice and assistance so that the issue can be resolved and the concerns leading to the challenge can be addressed meaningfully without compromising intellectual freedom. The Centre has created a Working Group on Intellectual Freedom to help guide its work on this issue. Click here to see members of the working group.
Resources
Transforming "Call Out" Culture
Loretta Ross - In Conversation with Asam Ahmad
Canadian Authors and Books: An Endangered Species?
Panelists: Drew Hayden Taylor, Pilar Martinez, Barb Minett, Jim Lorimer
Moderator: Victor Rabinovitch
Mark Williams Joins CFE Working Group on Intellectual Freedom
Milton Public Library Chief Librarian and CEO Mark Williams is joining the Centre for Free Expression’s Working Group on Intellectual Freedom.
“We are delighted to welcome such a dedicated champion of intellectual freedom to the CFE Working Group,” said James L. Turk, the Centre’s Director.
February 8, 2021
Canadian Authors and Books: An Endangered Species?
Panelists: Drew Hayden Taylor, Pilar Martinez, Barb Minett, Jim Lorimer
Moderator: Victor Rabinovitch
Cancel Culture, Censorship, and Free Expression
Panelists: Piers Benn, Christina de Castell, Inaya Folarin-Iman, Eric Lybeck
Moderator: James L. Turk
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