News

Universities under Attack

What exactly is under attack and who are the attackers? The ‘radical reform’ of our university system is of long duration and has its origins in the Thatcher years. We should not forget that in January 1985 Oxford’s Congregation voted 738-319 to deny Mrs. Thatcher an honorary degree on the grounds that her government had ‘done deep and systematic damage to the whole public education system in Britain’. In succeeding decades ‘reform’ has been driven forward by governments of all political persuasions, but it is less well understood that many of these reforms have been undertaken in alliance with, and in the interests of, British business.

Erik Rudeng appointed as the new Chair of the EFC

Fritt Ord’s Director Erik Rudeng is appointed as the new Chair for the European Foundation Centre (EFC) 2011–2014.

European Photo Exhibition Award (epea)

Four European Foundations launch a new Award for Photography

How are we going to make a living in Norway in future?

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the Polytechnic Society invite the public to three meetings in autumn 2011 in the series ‘How are we going to make a living in Norway in future?’.

Death in Camp Delta

Fritt Ord and Borgen Production AS invite the public to the premiere of the documentary film and a seminar at Saga Cinema, Oslo, on 5 and 6 October 2011: Death in Camp Delta – a film by Erling Borgen. The film will premier in Theatre 1 at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 5 October, and the seminar will be in Theatre 2 from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Thursday, 6 October.

Lapp Hat uncensored – Sami policy and political debate in Finnmark County?

The Fritt Ord Foundation invites the public to a debate on and film screening of ‘Lapp Hat’ on Wednesday, 12 January 2011, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Uranienborgveien 2 in Oslo. There will be an introduction and a debate featuring director Guro Saniola Bjerk and Bjørn Sørenssen, professor of Film Science, Einar Niemi, professor of History and Anne Julie Semb, associate professor of Political Science.

Fritt Ord Foundation founds the Norwegian Journal of Photography

In founding the Norwegian Journal of Photography (NJP) and in collaboration with photographers and picture editors Rune Eraker, Laara Matsen and Espen Rasmussen, the Fritt Ord Foundation wishes to establish a forum for independent documentary photography. NJP will publish a large-format book intended to present the best of Norwegian documentary photography and invites both seasoned and younger photographers to submit project ideas which can give them the opportunity to be one of the 10 photographers selected. The closing date for applications is 15 February 2011, and the editorial board will hand down its decision by 25 March 2011. The first book will be published in autumn 2012. See: www.njp.no

Harald Eia, Dag Hessen and Bjørn Vassnes receive the Fritt Ord Foundation Tribute

The Fritt Ord Foundation Tribute acknowledges remarkable efforts to promote free speech, often in connection with current events. The tribute is accompanied by NOK 100 000 to each recipient. The Fritt Ord Foundation’s Board has resolved to award the following tributes:

Freedom, Similarity and the Muslim Brotherhood

The Fritt Ord Foundation invites the public to the world premier of the documentary film Freedom, Similarity and the Muslim Brotherhood at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, 25 November 2010, at the Vika Cinema in Oslo. A panel of people involved in the film, including Tarek Heggy, Walid al-Kubaisi and Lily Bandehy, will engage in a dialogue with the audience after the screening. Jon Hustad is moderator. Co-organiser: Agitator.

Er det viktig med flere kvinner i realfagene?

Power Shifts

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the Norwegian Polytechnic Society invite the public to three meetings at the House of Literature at Wergelandsveien 29 in Oslo. The meetings will be held on Tuesdays, i.e. 5, 12 and 19 October 2010, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Kindle – revolution coming to the book market

Why is it important to have Norwegian ebooks? Featuring, among others, Gisle Hannemyr: ”Competition perspectives on readers” and Eirik Newth: ”What is the reader’s potential?”. A panel of representatives from publishing houses, booksellers, writers, newspapers, consumers and politicians: ”When will efforts be made to make readers with Norwegian content?”.

The Political Economy after the Financial Crisis

In the autumn of 2008, the financial crisis led French president Sarkozy to declare that it is high time to redefine capitalism, while Queen Elizabeth asked why no economists saw the crisis coming. A year later, the stock exchanges are embarking on an insipient recovery, but the questions about the cause of the crisis and the future of the market economy remain.

Freedom of Expression Tribute to Else Michelet

Press Release, 18 June 2009

Tale under utdelingen av Fritt Ords og ZEIT-Stiftungs Pressepriser 2009 til Russland og Øst-Europa

Global Forum on Freedom of Expression

From 1 to 6 June 2009, Oslo will host the Global Forum on Freedom of Expression. This will be the largest global event organised in this field to date, with 500 writers, researchers, film-makers, publishers and activists from 200 organisations in 120 countries.