From Trump to Brann: Freedom of Speech Under Pressure – What Now?
Welcome to PEN Norway’s Annual Meeting Seminar – May 22, 2025 at 18:15 in Bergen Public Library.
Freedom of expression is under increasing threat across the world. Censorship, sanctions, and imprisonment have long been the reality for those who challenge authoritarian regimes, but even in Western democracies, freedom of expression is coming under pressure. What are the threats, both abroad and at home? What’s at stake? And how can we most effectively defend democracy and free expression today?
PEN Norway’s annual meeting will take place on May 22, and as is tradition, we invite you to attend an open seminar following the meeting. Details below.
Program
18:15 – Freedom of Expression: Where Is the World Heading?
Speakers:
- Hilmar Mjelde – U.S. expert and professor, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt – CEO, the Rafto Foundation
- Teresa Grøtan – Festival Director, Bergen International Literature Festival
- Jørgen Frydnes – Secretary General, PEN Norway
19:00 – Break
19:15 – How Is Norway Affected?
Speakers:
- Aslak Sverdrup – SK Brann
- Eliana Hercz – Project Manager, Young Voices 2030, PEN Norway
- Erlend Hanstveit – State Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Equality
- Terje Einarsen – Professor of International Law, University of Bergen
- Ann-Magrit Austenå – Chair, PEN Norway
Moderator: Maja Gudim Burheim, PEN Norway
20:00 – End
About the Seminar
Freedom of expression is under growing pressure around the globe. While censorship, sanctions, and imprisonment have historically targeted those who confront authoritarian regimes, we now see similar trends in democracies as well. In the United States, peaceful protesters are being jailed, and independent media outlets are being denied access to the White House.
In Norway, the football club Brann is fined for criticizing the powerful UEFA from the stands. Meanwhile, many young people hesitate to voice their opinions due to fear of hate speech and incitement. Increasingly, freedom of expression is also being challenged by algorithms and artificial intelligence that shape access to information, generate conflicting perceptions of reality, and erode trust in institutions and among citizens.
So, what are the threats to freedom of expression globally and domestically? What do we risk losing? And how can we safeguard democracy and free expression moving forward?
We will seek answers from experts and voices in culture, sports, and human rights sectors, and ask the government representative what impact its new strategy for freedom of expression will have.
