FREEDOM OF THE PRESS DAY 2015

May 4 2015

​Blasphemy, freedom of expression and freedom of the press – free as long as no one is offended?

UNESCO, the Norwegian Press Association, the Association of Norwegian Editors, the Norwegian Union of Journalists, Norwegian PEN and the Fritt Ord Foundation invite the public to a seminar on Monday, 4 May, from 5.30–8.00 p.m. at the House of Literature in Oslo. The event is open to the general public.

PROGRAMME
Opening by head of the UNESCO Commission Tora Aasland and President of the Storting Olemic Thommessen

EXHIBIT OF THE CARICATURES IN THE WAKE OF CHARLIE HEBDO
Newspaper artist Roar Hagen, VG

WHAT DO WE WANT WITH FREEDOM OF THE PRESS?
Media commentator Svein Egil Omdal

THE ARAB SPRING – WHAT HAPPENED TO FREEDOM OF THE PRESS?

  • Editor Tarek Atia, Egypt Media Development Programme
  • Director Aidan White, Ethical Journalism NetworkJournalist Kristin Solberg, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation

THE PLACE OF BLASPHEMY IN TODAY’S SOCIETY
Introduction by Philosopher Einar Øverenget, Activa Humanistic Academy

In debate with:

  • Researcher and Lawyer Anine Kierulf, Norwegian Centre for Human Rights
  • Journalist Hege Ulstein, Dagsvisen (newspaper)
  • Philosopher and Associate Professor Odin Lysaker (University of Agder)
  • Editor Helge Simonnes, Vårt Land (newspaper)

Moderator:
Hege Moe Eriksen

See Facebook event for more information.

News

Mykhailo Tkach, Andrei Aliaksandrau, Arevhat Sahakyan (Factor TV), Nino Bakradze (iFact), and Lola Tagaeva (Verstka).

Free Media Awards for 2026. Press freedom under pressure in wartime: – Silence does not protect democracy

September 29 2026

This year’s winners of the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius received their awards in Toppsalen at the Munch Museum in Oslo on 29 September 2026.
The Belarusian journalist and media manager Andrei Aliaksandrau came straight to Oslo after spending over five years in prison for his work. Aliaksandrau dedicated the award to imprisoned journalists and editors in Belarus and quoted the Liverpool FC anthem: “You’ll never walk alone”.

Mykhailo Tkach heads investigations at Ukrainska Pravda, which uncovers corruption, even in a Ukraine fighting an existential war against Russia.
– I face charges in at least thirteen cases related to my work. I have been threatened. My team has been threatened. And what is our answer? To keep digging. Silence does not protect democracy. Journalism does.

Mykhailo Tkach

Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Russian and Belarusian journalists and media to receive five Free Media Awards for 2026

September 3 2026

This year’s prize laureates for the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius are:
The investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach from Ukraine
The investigative media outlet iFact from Georgia
The online media Factor TV from Armenia
The online media Verstka from Russia (in exile)
The journalist and media director Andrei Aliaksandrau from Belarus (imprisoned)*

Fritt Ord's grants for master’s degrees

August 30 2026

Is your master’s project about freedom of expression, social debate or journalism? If so, you can apply for a student grant from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute 2026

August 18 2026

The rap duo Karpe has been awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for giving voice to the experiences of many young people from minority backgrounds. Through the language of rap, they are expanding the space for the expression of identity and belonging.