"Freedom of expression is for both the conventional and the controversial" Burnham (Eleanor Burnham )

Cymraeg
English

Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

"Freedom of expression is for both the conventional and the controversial" Burnham

April 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Eleanor Burnham AM today launched a vigorous defence of artistic freedom in Wales. Her campaign to preserve artistic freedom has already received the backing of the National Campaign for the Arts.

Mrs Burnham tabled a Statement of Opinion on freedom of expression in the arts in response to increasingly vocal calls for censorship - particularly but not exclusively around Jerry Springer the Opera. There have also been calls for the Assembly to intervene in what can and cannot be performed in Wales.

Mrs Burnham, the Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Culture said,

"Freedom of expression has come under enormous pressure in the last two years with ever increasing calls for greater censorship. It is a difficult time for all artists, especially those who seek to tackle controversial and difficult subjects. Artists, performers and playwrights have an important role in exploring difficult issues, even if they offend people in doing so. This right must be protected. It is all too easy to want to silence the views that offend us. But we must remember that the same freedom that allows someone to offend us also allows us to argue back."

Victoria Todd, Director of the National Campaign for the Arts, has added her backing to the campaign for artistic freedom. She said:

"Now more than ever we need the arts to explore issues thrown up by cultures and religions, yet proponents of censorship are becoming emboldened. The National Campaign for the Arts has consistently worked to ensure that all artists have the right to provoke thought and challenge convention, lobbying with success on UK-wide legislation such as the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. Whatever infrastructure is ultimately deemed appropriate for the arts sector in Wales, it must incorporate real safeguards for freedom of expression to allow the promotion of debate and understanding in a tolerant society.'

The statement also reiterates the Welsh Liberal Democrat's continued support for an arms length between the funding and control of arts and the Assembly Government.

Notes:

1) Statements of Opinion are a formal means for Assembly Members to put their views about a subject on record and gather support by encouraging other Members to add their name to the Statement.

2) The Statement of Opinion, OPIN-2006- 0044 Artistic Freedom of Expression, reads:

"This National Assembly for Wales:

Believes that freedom of expression is intended to protect both the conventional and the controversial.

Believes in the importance of the 'arms length' principle between Government and the artistic community with regard to the funding and control of arts, in order to guarantee freedom of expression and artistic integrity.

Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that freedom of expression remains a central principle of our society and so protect the ability of individuals to explore comprehensively and lawfully all aspects of society and culture."

3) The NCA is the UK's only independent lobbying organisation representing all the arts. Its mission is to be the leading independent and UK-wide voice for the arts world in all its diversity. Its vision is that the value of the arts will be understood and recognised by government, and that the arts will be adequately resourced as a key element in our national culture.

END