Nicky Hager to Discuss Freedom of Information at the Word Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival

Journalist Nicky Hager, whose new book Dirty Politics was unveiled in Wellington last night, will appear on a panel discussion to debate freedom of speech, freedom of information, secrecy and spying, as part of the WORD Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival, in association with The Press, on August 30.

Entitled ‘Secrets, Spies and Free Speech’, the panel will also feature Guardian journalist Luke Harding, whose latest book outlines the story of Edward Snowden and the National Security Agency spying scandal, and Australian writer Richard King. The session is chaired by Joanna Norris, editor of The Press and chair of the Media Freedom Committee.

The panel will ask: what are the limits of freedom of speech? Are any topics forbidden to writers? And when are writers justified in revealing secrets?

Luke Harding’s computer was hacked and his work erased while he was writing The Snowden Files; Nicky Hager has championed the right to access private information for the public good; and Richard King’s book On Offenceargues that free speech is meaningless unless it includes the freedom to offend.

When: Saturday 30 August, 9.30am
Where: Rydges Latimer, Christchurch

ENDS

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