PEN Panel Dicussion: Freedom of Expression in Tumultuous Times
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring our current PEN Writer-in-Residence Tala Motazedi, queer screenwriter and novelist from Iran; George Brown Professor Gordana Icevska, an investigative journalist from the former Yugoslavia; and Luis Najera, crime reporter and novelist from Mexico. Moderated by George Brown Communication Professor Paula Applebaum, the panel will explore the successes, challenges, and future of open democratic dialogue in today’s polarized world. What does successful promotion of freedom of expression look like today? The panel will discuss how education can empower people to express disparate opinions, share ideas, and ask questions, helping citizens to engage in a democratic society. We'll also address the limitations on free speech in Canada, barriers to minority voices, and the challenges of political correctness, with the goal of exploring practical solutions and shaping the tone of the debate around freedom of expression.