In January 2004 the re-newed Department of Information- and Media Sciences was established at the University of Bergen. “In accordance with our scientific goals we want to create an agenda for public debate on the conditions for freedom of expression, and the challenges it is facing. This has now come about through an inspiring cooperation with the Rafto Foundation, the Institution Fritt Ord and Bergens Tidende,” says Professor Knut Helland. (30-OCT-2004)

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. The revised paragraph (nr. 100) in the Norwegian Constitution, secures a better protection of the Freedom om Expression.

Article 19 in the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights states that: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

There are three topics which are to be viewed from different perspectives: Freedom of expression in a global perspective, the framework for freedom of expression in Norway, and the overall ‘fitness’ of the Norwegian public generally.

The program this autumn:

Oct 10th  Freedom of expression in a digital age
  Einar Hålien (Editor Bergenske Tidende)
  Kåre Valebrokk (Editor and Executive Manager TV 2)
  Knut Helland (Professor at the Department of Information- and Media
Sciences, University of Bergen)
  Jostein Gripsrud chair (Manager of the Department of Information- and
Media Sciences, University of Bergen)

Oct 20th  Freedom of expression in the Norwegian Constitution
 Francis Sejersted (Chairman ‘Fritt Ord’)

Nov 5th   Human rights and freedom of expression in Xinjiang and the People´s Republic of China
Sidik Haji Rouzi (writer, political refugee, and the husband of Rebiya Kadeer who has been awarded the Rafto Memorial Prize 2004).
The presentation will be held as part of the Rafto seminar at the Clarion Hotel Admiral in Bergen. The time of the presentation will be announced later, but it will probably be held before noon.

Nov 17th  Freedom of expression, democracy and human rights
  Jan Fridthjof Bernt (Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen)

Nov 24th  Freedom of expression, humor and communication
  Shabana Rehman (comedian and writer)

Dec 8th  Iran: Islam and the conditions of freedom of expression and democracy
Henriette Sinding Aasen, Faculty of Law, The University of Bergen

Time and place for the seminar: 6.30 pm at Raftohuset, Menneskerettighetenes plass 1
(at ’Nygårdshøyden’, between ’Puddefjordbroen’ and Bergen Museum Collection of natural history.

The seminar of freedom of expression is free of charge and open to all who are interested. After the presentation there will be some light food and debate. Please feel free to join us!