CONFERENCE ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION May 8-9, 2014, University of Helsinki
The Conference is for all researchers, judges, journalists, representatives of NGOs and media practitioners (lawyers, editors, journalists, etc.) who are interested in the practical and legal extent and limitations on the freedom of expression. The conference will provide academics and practitioners alike with the opportunity to learn about the most significant freedom of expression developments in Europe in recent years. Experts from across the continent will provide an overview of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the most important trends in the field of freedom of expression. The conference will have as its main focus the legal aspects of freedom of expression, but media’s self-regulation and ‘self-censorship’ will also be discussed.
The Conference begins on Thursday morning (May 8, 2014) with a plenary lecture by Mark Cole (University of Luxembourg) on ‘Freedom of Expression’ and continues with Jan Oster’s (Leiden University) presentation on press freedom. After that Lara Fielden (Reuters Institute, Oxford) will speak about press ethics and self-regulation of the press. The day will continue with a commentary by Risto Uimonen, who is the chairman of the Finnish Press Council. Then researcher Reeta Pöyhtäri (University of Tampere) will present her research on how hate speech in the internet affects journalistic behaviour and expression. After Pöyhtäri’s speech, we will hear a journalistic comment on the impact of hate speech on journalistic work by Hannele Valkeeniemi (YLE). The afternoon is reserved for participants’ presentations (following the CfP).
The conference continues on Friday morning with professor Dirk Voorhoof (Ghent University) who will give a critical analysis of some developments and characteristics in the ECtHR’s case law. Judge, Päivi Hirvelä LL.D. (ECtHR) will then have a chance to comment on Voorhoof’s speech and tell us about the new trends in the ECtHR in the field of freedom of expression. University lecturer Pauli Rautiainen and professor Jukka Viljanen (University of Tampere) will then give their presentation on the Finnish way of legal reasoning in the test of European Courts’ case-law.Finally, Pauliine Koskelo, who is the President of the Finnish Supreme Court, will comment on the previous speeches. Friday afternoon is reserved for participants’ presentations (following the CfP). The conference will conclude with a general discussion and summing up by the conference convenor.
Throughout the Conference, there will be ample opportunity for discussion and debate, both in the formal proceedings and during the breaks.
On Wednesday conference participants are welcome to join an excursion to the Finnish public service broadcasting company, Oy Yleisradio Ab. There will be a reception at the Päivälehden museo (Päivälehti Museum) on Thursday evening.
You’ll find more information here: http://www.helsinki.fi/oikeustiede/oppiaineet/viestintaoikeus/conference_FoE /index.html
CONFERENCE ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION May 8-9, 2014
Call for Papers
Deadline February 28, 2014.
We invite papers that explore the following areas focussing on freedom of expression: the extent and limitations of freedom of expression in law and in practice, its relation to other fundamental and human rights, new challenges arising from digitalisation and new technologies, press ethics and self-censorship. The perspective can be legal or journalistic.
We reserve 15 to 20 minutes time for each presentation. If there are many high-quality papers, we can organise several parallel sessions. It is also possible to organise workshops.
Please send an abstract of no more than 600 words in length, and a short bio note to the e-mail address oik-freedomofexpression@helsinki.fi. Each proposal will be reviewed by a panel composed of members of the conference organising committee. Besides the full research papers, we also encourage submissions of short papers to facilitate active discussion of the open challenges and issues in this area of research. The abstract should be submitted by February 28, 2014.
Important dates Abstract Submission: February 28, 2014 Author Notification: March 14, 2014 Conference Enrolment: April 4, 2014 (CfP-speakers); April 17, 2014 (participants/listeners) Paper/PP slides submission: April 25, 2014 Excursion: May 7, 2014 Conference: May 8-9, 2014
Organizers The Discipline of Media and Communication Law, Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki
Contact Primarily: oik-freedomofexpression@helsinki.fi LLM Jenna Mäkinen, Conference secretary, doctoral student, University of Helsinki, jenna.makinen@helsinki.fi Päivi Tiilikka, Acting Professor of Media and Communication Law, University of Helsinki, paivi.tiilikka@helsinki.fi
http://www.helsinki.fi/oikeustiede/oppiaineet/viestintaoikeus/conference_FoE /index.html
Suggested topics include but are not limited to:
Freedom of expression and right to information / access to information Freedom of expression and publicity of activities of public authorities Freedom of expression and hate speech
Freedom of expression and copyright
Freedom of expression and new technologies
Freedom of expression and social media
Freedom of expression and personal data protection
Freedom of expression and right to private life
Freedom of expression and criticism of economic activities
Employee’s freedom of expression and the duty of loyalty
Citizen’s freedom of expression Freedom of expression online
Freedom of expression and marketing
Freedom of expression and press / media self-regulation
Freedom of expression and self-censorship
Freedom of expression and citizen journalism
Freedom of expression and freedom of religion
Right to anonymity
Right to protection of information sources etc.
The Conference is free of charge. Lunch and coffee are provided by the organizers with the support of the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation. We thank the foundation for all the economic support that has made it possible to arrange this conference. We also thank the Foundation for agreeing to host the Thursday evening reception. The conference organisers are grateful to Oy Yleisradio Ab for agreeing to organise the excursion to their editorial office.
Päivi Tiilikka Viestintäoikeuden dosentti, varatuomari
Viestintäoikeuden ma. professori
Helsingin yliopisto
PL 4/Yliopistonkatu 3
Puh. 09-191 22097
00014 HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO