Club Panel Discussion: Are You Charlie Hebdo? Are there Limits To Free Expression?
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015
6:00PM – 7:30PM
1ST FLOOR
(CANCELLED)
Panelists:
Hervé Deguine, Amirali B. Nasir J.P. FHKIoD, Eric Wishart
The killings in January of 11 people including celebrated cartoonists at the offices of Charlie Hebdo shocked many around the world, and led to an outpouring of support for freedom of expression under the slogan “Je Suis Charlie” (I Am Charlie).
However, many Muslims and others argued that the French satirical weekly went too far with its cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, raising questions about whether there should be curbs on free expression in the interests of religious and social harmony. Our panel of speakers will debate those questions, looking at whether such curbs are indeed necessary or whether they amount to a surrender of democratic ideals to Islamist extremism?
Panelists:
Hervé Deguine (via Skype video link) is a Paris-based journalist and author. He has worked on and off with Reporters Without Borders over the past 20 years and he knew several of the Charlie Hebdo team. Though critical of the magazine’s editorial position, he supports its right to express itself within the limits of French law.
Amirali B. Nasir J.P. FHKIoD is a Solicitor, Board Member and Trustee of various Islamic institutions in Hong Kong, previously Board Member of Islamic Association in London, Member of the Equal Opportunities Commission, frequent speaker on Ethics, Solicitors’ accounts, Risk Management, Islamic Finance and Takaful.
Eric Wishart is a journalist and former editor-in-chief of Agence France-Presse and has worked in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He currently works on special projects for AFP’s global news management, with a particular focus on journalist safety and ethical issues in conflict reporting. He also represents the AFP Foundation in Asia.