* Freedom of Expression

Freedom of expression was the theme of my proposal in April 2005 with reference to “Jerry Springer the Opera”, when the central figure of Christianity was subject to humiliation and ridicule. At the time, the focus of blame was the BBC for broadcasting this opera. We well remember the effect of so doing on Christians and other members of the faith community, and the ongoing controversy it is causing.

In the last few months we, yet again, witnessed another assault on the dignity of a religious central figure under the label of freedom of expression, this time of Islam.

The ignorance of a few Danish cartoonists and their publishers, who promoted the project, provoked a religious and political reaction across the world during this highly sensitive and inflammable period of our collective journey towards cultural integration.

Those who advocate this type of inappropriate exercise as a sign of unconditional freedom of expression should be, perhaps, reminded that across all cultures publicly expressed opinions are subject to spoken, unspoken or even legal limitations. The phrase: “politically incorrect” is often used to indicate those expressions that exceed the acceptable social limits.

For example, across our culture criticising homosexuality is no longer acceptable; even the religious traditions are condemned for speaking their views on that issue. Another example is the suspension of the Mayor of London for his passing remark on a Jewish journalist and also the recent prison sentence in Austria for a writer who denied the reality of death camps during the Second World War.

The general opinion of the members of Diversity, a few weeks after the episode of the cartoon was that the British media coped rather well with the development of this scenario. While remaining objective itself, the media provided balanced time and equal opportunities for all affected parties to defend their positions.

It was interesting to listen to a BBC Radio 4 religious programme, “Beyond Belief”, on Monday 13th Feb 2006. Three British comedians of three different religious traditions, Christianity, Islam and the Bahá’í faith were invited to a debate on the theme of the freedom of expression and how comedians could conduct their career without compromising their faith or attacking the beliefs of others. Inviting a comedian from a minority religious tradition such as the Bahá’í faith was also a welcome development.

Delivered by Parvaneh Farid at CDAGM (Cultural Diversity Advisory Group to the Media) Meeting with BBC South, Meridian TV and the Daily Echo28th
March 2006
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