– I like the concrete proposals for measures. We have to paint general pictures as well. It is part of the mandate, but the concrete measures are wonderful – then you feel that you have done something. Magdi Omar Ytreeide Abdelmaguid from the rap group Karpe is known for expressing himself freely in his lyrics. Abdelmaguid is one of the Freedom of Expression Commission’s 17 members. On Monday in Arendalsuka, they will present the report they have been working on for over two years. The task the commission has been given is to create an overview of how the free speech space is in Norway today, and to come up with proposals for what can be done to improve it. Freedom of expression is the security you should have to say what you think, and collect information, without the fear of being punished. – I don’t think we should draw up where the border goes, but rather paint a picture of where we stand in 2022, says Abdelmaguid. Magdi believes there are “holes” in the principles surrounding freedom of expression. Photo: Frode Fjerdingstad / news The artist thinks one of the most interesting things about being part of the commission has been discussing what he describes as gaps in our principles. – We talk so much about the racism clause, which almost no one is convicted of. But look at how many people are sentenced for scolding the police. I find that part exciting. Mapping freedom of expression in Norway Let’s turn back the clock a few years, to the winter of 2020. Just before the corona came to Norway. Culture Minister Abid Raja presented 18 people who were to make up the new Freedom of Expression Commission. The last time it happened was in 1999. The members of the commission must reflect the diversity of society, said Abid Raja when the members were presented. Here from a meeting in the summer of 2020. The commission’s leader Kjersti Løken Stavrum and Minister for Culture and Equality Abid Q. Raja (V) stand in front together with the commission. Fra.v Nils Johan Hætta, Steinar Olsen, Bård Borch Michalsen, Mímir Kristjánsson, Shabana Rehman, Ragna Aarli, Anki Gerhardsen, Magdi Omar Ytreeide Abdelmaguid from Karpe, Bente Kalsnes (white jacket), Jan Inge Sørbø, Vebjørn Selbekk, Sarah Zahid, Kjetil Rolnes and Adele Matheson Mestad Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB – The important thing is that they map the state of freedom of expression, to what extent it is exposed under pressure and also propose measures on how to counter this, Raja said at the time. Last summer, the commission went from 18 down to 17 members. Begard Reza, secretary general of Salam – the organization for LGBTIQ+ people with a Muslim background resigned and wrote a debate post in VG where she explained why. –– I believe the commission is involved in laundering some of the crudest methods of the new, radical right. The commission itself contributes to what it is set to oppose, Reza wrote in the post. Begard Reza resigned from the Freedom of Expression Commission last year. Photo: Tore Meek Reza reacted, among other things, to the commission inviting Are Søberg, known as the Waste Ombudsman, to come up with concrete and solution-oriented input from the art world. Søberg has repeatedly criticized the Culture Council for supporting art projects that he believes are a waste of taxpayers’ money. Reza believed the Freedom of Expression Commission did not fulfill its mandate and wrote in the debate entry that she regretted agreeing to join. – The Freedom of Expression Commission must listen to different voices. If we hadn’t done that, we should all have resigned, the commission’s leader Kjersti Løken Stavrum told VG at the time. Kjersti Løken Stavrum chairs the Freedom of Expression Commission. She is also CEO of Stiftelsen Tinius, which manages the largest ownership stake in Schibsted Media Group through the company Blommenholm Industrier. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Despite a small media storm, the rest of the commission continued its work as planned. Challenges with the technology companies It has been over 20 years since a similar report was presented, in the meantime technology has changed a lot. – It is a paradox that we all express ourselves on Facebook, but you never get to talk about Facebook itself. This is what Stavrum tells news now – a few days before their report is to be presented. She says they have tried to find out how the international technology companies can contribute constructively to the space for expression in Norway. Many people in Norway use social media to express themselves. Getting the big technology companies to speak is not as easy, according to Kjersti Løken Stavrum. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – Google, Facebook, TikTok have a lot to say for our freedom of expression, but it is difficult to do anything about them, says Stavrum. She hopes that the survey and the measures they come up with will lead to a good debate. – Many people are concerned about freedom of expression, but complain about the conditions for it – now comes the opportunity to do something about it. REAL FREEDOM OF SPEECH: Freedom of speech in practice, or real freedom of speech, is used to explain how safe people feel they are to say what they think in public spaces. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB scanpix The fear of punishment in a court is one thing, Stavrum also highlights what she calls “real freedom of expression” because it has a greater influence on what we say and how. – Freedom of expression is the security you should get to be able to say what you think and get information without being punished for it, explains the commission leader. – Traditionally, there has been punishment from the state. In our time, many people have probably felt the feeling of a punishment that can arise when meeting friends, people you don’t know or anonymous in the debate. The Freedom of Expression Commission will present the report on Monday 15 August at 5pm during Arendal Week.
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