On 14 February 1989, the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against Salman Rushdie and his publishers over The Satanic Verses. Until that time there had been assumed support for the broad principle of free speech; however, the Rushdie affair introduced the question of how far free expression should be limited to avoid offending sensibilities in a complex society.
Has the climate of offence narrowed minds and tied tongues? Has public and democratic responsibility been compromised? Marking the 20th anniversary of the Rushdie fatwah, Monica Ali, Richard Flanagan, Neil James and David Williamson discuss the politics of freedom of expression with Rosie Scott.
Supported by the Plain English Foundation.
Change from printed program: Anne Summers was incorrectly listed as a participant in this event in the printed program.
MONICA ALI (INTERNATIONAL) MONICA ALI was one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists and won Newcomer of the Year at the 2004 British Book Awards. Her first novel, Brick Lane, was shortlisted for the 2003 Man Booker Prize, the George Orwell Prize for political writing and the prestigious Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. She lives in London with her husband and two children. Her latest novel is In The Kitchen.
Neil James is Executive Director of the Plain English Foundation, which combines plain English training, editing and evaluation with a public campaign for clearer public language.
His latest book, Writing at Work critiques how public language is used and abused, and suggests how it can be radically improved. This draws on Neil’s work developing and presenting writing workshops to more than 5,000 professionals Australia-wide.
Neil is the editor of Writers on Writing and The Complete Sentimental Bloke. He has also published over 50 articles and essays on language and literature in publications as diverse as the Times Literary Supplement and the Daily Telegraph. Neil also speaks regularly about public language in the national media.
DAVID WILLIAMSON initially studied mechanical engineering at Melbourne University, writing skits on the side for the Engineers’ Revue. After a brief stint at General Motors Holden, he devoted himself to playwriting in 1967. David rose to prominence with works such as Don's Party and The Removalists. He collaborated on the screenplays for Gallipoli and The Year of Living Dangerously. Other important works have included The Club, The Department, Travelling North, The Perfectionist, Emerald City, Money, Friends and Brilliant Lies and Dead White Males.
He recently co-wrote Balibo with Robert Connolly. David has been married to wife Kristin for 35 years. Kristin is the biographer of David in the newly released David Williamson: Behind the Scenes.
ROSIE SCOTT (LOCAL) ROSIE SCOTT’s latest book Faith Singer was included in an international survey of 50 Essential Contemporary Reads by Living Writers conducted by the Orange Prize Committee, The Guardian and Hay Literary Festival. Her other novels have been published internationally and shortlisted for most major literary prizes in Australia and New Zealand. She was awarded the Sydney PEN Award in recognition of her outstanding support and commitment to PEN and has been appointed a permanent member of the Council for the Australian Society of Authors. She was nominated for the Human Rights Medal with Tom Keneally for the work they did for refugee writers including the anthology they compiled.
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