Lecture series: “Freedom of expression. Culture wars on a human right”
Wednesdays from May 14, 6:15 pm, Senatsaal in the Kollegienhaus, Universitätsstraße 15, Erlangen
Hatred, incitement and fake news: Disinformation campaigns are gaining prevalence on the internet and printed media is experiencing a structural crisis. The lecture series “Freedom of expression. Culture wars on a human right” organized by the Center for Human Rights Erlangen-Nürnberg (CHREN) from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) explores various aspects of how these topics relate to freedom of expression. The first lecture will be held on Wednesday, May 14.
Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democratic discourse. At the same time, the right to freedom of expression is not simply one of a number of human rights. It is an essential prerequisite for achievements such as the United Nations’ “General Declaration of Human Rights”. At the current time, this crucial human right that is increasingly being called into question in public debate. Many people fear censorship or scandals triggered in the heat of the moment whenever anyone utters a critical statement. The movement towards polarization seems to be marching on relentlessly, driven by provocative language and the supposed anonymity of social media. These developments demand state countermeasures that ought to be taken at a European level if they are to be effective.
As the topic is so varied, FAU’s lecture series will explore it from various angles: ranging from the perspective of media ethics, public law and history, to political science and German studies, to philosophy. After the lectures, the audience is invited to enter directly into dialog with the speakers.
All events are free of charge and there is no need to register in advance. The lecture series is coordinated between CHREN, the degree program Ethics of Textual Cultures, Volkshochschule Erlangen (vhs) and Erlangen City Library. The lectures are always held at 6:15 pm in the Senatssaal of the Kollegienhaus, Universitätsstraße 15, Erlangen.
Prof. Dr. Christian Schicha, FAU, Professorship for Media Ethics
Prof. Dr. Andrea Geier, Trier University
Prof. Dr. Dr. Patricia Wiater, FAU, Chair of Public Law, Public International Law and Human Rights
Prof. Dr. Jens Kulenkampff, retired, with a comment by Prof. Dr. Erasmus Mayr, FAU, Chair of Practical Philosophy
Prof. Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt, FAU, Senior Professorship for Human Rights
Prof. Dr. Franz Streng, FAU, Research Institute for Criminology and Sanctions
“And I really do believe that allowing our citizens to speak their mind will make them stronger still”. Puzzled observations on the discursive reframing of freedom of expression
Professor Dr. Kay Kirchmann, Professorship for Media Studies in Film and Television
Prof. Dr. Aida Bosch, FAU, Institute of Sociology
Prof. Dr. Eva Pils, FAU, Alexander-von-Humboldt-Chair of Human Rights Law
Prof. Dr. Antje Kley (FAU, Chair of American Studies), Dr. Florence Häneke (FAU, Chair of Practical Theology), Dr. Elisabeth Preuß (vhs), high school students (Marie-Therese-Gymnasium)
Further information:
Prof. Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt
Seniorprofessor für Menschenrechte
heiner.bielefeldt@fau.de