Royalties to ARTICLE 19

The Minister’s speech was based on the following talking points

 

• My theme: how to make a difference? And – how to manage differences? From the very beginning as Foreign Minister, I’ve encountered the challenges facing freedom of expression. Information is an empowerment right, which allows for the realisation of many other rights.

• I also encountered new challenges in Norway in this regard. Last winter, my book “Å gjøre en forskjell” (Making a difference), was published. It reflects – among other topics – on minorities in Norwegian society. We must stop talking about “them and us”. In my book, I focused on the new Norwegian “we”.

• The royalties (in sum: NOK 1 million) of the books will be helpful – I hope – in assisting ARTICLE 19 with the implementation of its ambitious programme of work to defend freedom of expression. 

• ARTICLE 19 is an independent not-for-profit organisation (a charitable company limited by guarantee, based in the UK). Dedicated to the promotion of freedom of expression and access to information as a fundamental human right.

• The organisation works globally, defending and promoting freedom of expression at structural and policy levels. In its mission statement, ARTICLE 19 seeks “to promote, protect, develop and fulfil freedom of expression and the free flow of information and ideas in order to strengthen global social justice and empower people to make autonomous choices.”

• You build capacity and set standards. You work in partnership with other organisations, build coalitions, share capacities and expertise, and develop collective positions.

• You understand that social change and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression, come from the power of collective action and awareness, and that they need to be driven by a multitude of stakeholders, including from the most vulnerable groups.

• ARTICLE 19 also advocates the implementation of access to information policies to ensure transparency and strengthen citizens’ participation. ARTICLE 19 campaigns against the widespread use of defamation laws, restrictions on media and censorship. The organisation works tirelessly to safeguard pluralism and a diversity of views. ARTICLE 19 has access to the skills of eminent experts in freedom of information, expression and the media from all over the world.

• You have understood the links between development and freedom of expression, between famine and censorship, between access to information and the realisation of the right to a safe environment and the right to health. The same approach has led you to explore the relationships between the right to equality and the right to be free from discrimination on the one hand, and the right to freedom of expression on the other.

 

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• ARTICLE 19 took an active part from the outset in Norway’s Global Inter-Media Dialogue with Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population. Editors, journalists and NGOs – fruitful discussions.

• We discussed freedom of expression, tolerance, mutual respect, defamation of religions and the need for more knowledge about each other. And the media’s responsibility, ethical journalism when reporting conflicts, etc. We also discussed hate speech and anti-terrorist laws. You, ARTICLE 19, were there, present in all discussions. You produced interesting analyses.

 
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• The royalties will allow ARTICLE 19’s legal and policy staff to respond to urgent requests from local civil society, for instance asking ARTICLE 19 to analyse draft or existing freedom of expression laws or policies and recommend changes and amendments to ensure they meet international human rights standards. 

• The royalties will allow continued updating of the ARTICLE 19 Freedom of Expression Virtual Handbook, which outlines major standards and recent progressive policies and jurisprudence which activists around the world can use for policy advocacy.

• With the royalties, ARTICLE 19 will organise meetings in various countries around the world to promote an appropriate balance between free speech and the protection of equality and respect for differences.

www.article19.org/