Book description
Over the past two decades, there have been a series of events that have
brought into question the concept and practice of free expression. In
this new book, Winston provides an account of the current state of
freedom of expression in the western world. He analyses all the most
pertinent cases of conflict during the last two decades - including the
fatwa against Salman Rushdie, the incident of the Danish cartoons and
offended celebrities - examining cultural, legal and journalistic
aspects of each case. A Right to Offend offers us a deeper understanding
of the increasingly threatening environment in which free speech
operates and is defended, as well as how it informs and is central to
journalism practice and media freedom more generally. It is important
reading for all those interested in freedom of expression in the
twenty-first century. Every generation needs to be reminded, in George
Orwell's words, that "Freedom is the right to tell people what they
do not want to hear". This message is even more important in our
globalized and networked world, in which nearly everyone, it seems, can
speak and be heard. As usual, Brian Winston is an ideal guide to the
past as well as the present and even the future challenges faced by
those who are devoted to preserving this most basic human right. --
Larry Gross USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
Every generation needs to be reminded, in George Orwell's words, that
"Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to
hear". This message is even more important in our globalized and
networked world, in which nearly everyone, it seems, can speak and be
heard. As usual, Brian Winston is an ideal guide to the past as well as
the present and even the future challenges faced by those who are
devoted to preserving this most basic human right. -- Larry Gross USC
Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism Brian Winston is
Professor of Communications and holder of the Lincoln Chair at the
University of Lincoln, UK. He has held senior academic posts at UK
National Film and Television School, New York University, Pennsylvania
State University, the University of Wales (Cardiff), Westminster
University and the University of Lincoln where, before his present
position, he was a Pro-Vice Chancellor. At the University of Glasgow, he
was the Glasgow Media Group's first director, producing Bad News (1976)
and More Bad News (1980). His other books include Media Technology and
Society: A History from the Telegraph to the Internet (for which he won
'Best Book of 1998', American Association for History and Computing) and
Messages: Free Expression, Media and the West from Gutenberg to Google
(2005).
