Skip to content
  • Common Currency
  • Campaigns
    • PENWrites
    • Writers at Risk
    • Writers in Residence
    • Free speech in the UK
  • News
  • Events
  • Translation
    • PEN Translates
    • PEN Presents
    • PEN Transmissions
    • International Translation Day
    • The World Bookshelf
      • Books
      • Authors
      • Translators
  • Prizes
    • PEN Pinter Prize
    • PEN Ackerley Prize
    • PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize
  • Donate
  • Join
Home > Campaigns > [Report] Free Expression and Free television

[Report] Free Expression and Free television

Channel 4 turns 30 at Free Word.  Eve Jackson of Index on Censorship reports.

‘Can we say that? Can we say that publicly?’ Last night’s evening of drinks and discussion hinged on these questions. For the filmmakers, programmers, board members and legal department at Channel 4, these questions are also at the heart of their day-to-day operations. There could be no better place than the Free Word Centre, and no better company than Index on Censorship, English PEN and Article 19, for a frank analysis of the past three decades of independent television.

Chief Executive David Abraham’s opening words sketched an outline of Channel 4’s unique trajectory as ‘an irritant and a challenger to vested interest’. Without shareholders, state funding or fear of its commercial advertisers’ feelings, its editorial autonomy has brought it the trust of its audiences. Perhaps more importantly, it has the implicit trust of its creative contributors. Channel 4’s legal team, led by Prash Naik, are bold defenders of the filmmakers’ rights, motivated by a presumption to publish. Line by line, shows are vetted and cleared before airing. ‘Can we say that?’ Can we say that publicly?’ It may be a struggle, but the default final answer is, rightly, ‘yes’.

Following Abraham’s speech, English PEN’s Jo Glanville brought together filmmakers Peter Kosminksy and Brian Woods, and media law silk Adrienne Page QC, to join David Abraham on stage. All three confirmed that the threats are there, and worsening. ‘To be at the boundary,’ says Peter Kosminsky, ‘you have to go beyond the boundary’ – but it’s a hard place to be on your own. Financially, the extortionate (and rising) costs of defending a libel charge causes Adrienne Page to worry that media organisations will run scared from airing controversial material. In Brian Woods’ experience it can take years to find a home for shows addressing subjects like sexual abuse by teachers, or which are criticising Islam. The BBC has clearly played a toxic role in this movement against controversy. Though Channel 4 sometimes gets it wrong, last night’s discussion showed that the intention to provoke, stimulate and inform is still firmly part of their remit. The creativity and execution of the programme must be outstanding, and the law must be on your side. Beyond this, shocking and offending some of your audience might even be considered part and parcel of good television making.  The only caveat, as Abraham put, is,  “If you are gong to shock and offend do it for a purpose”

Conversations like these usually happen behind closed doors. To see such open discussion alive at Channel 4 is exciting. The trend towards making more content available online, in shorter formats, with high levels of commentary and user interaction around each show, means the challenges to free expression will proliferate. For Index, Free Word, English PEN and Article 19, these challenges are firmly in eyesight. By committing to free expression and free debate with us, Channel 4 has its own battles to fight in keeping television an essential vehicle for finding and challenging boundaries. Happy birthday, and good luck, Channel 4!

This event was hosted by Free Word, Index on Censorship, Article 19, and English PEN.

 

 

Join our mailing list

Sign up to receive the latest English PEN news and events.

SIGN UP
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Partners
  • Outreach
  • Jobs
  • Contact us

With thanks to our Core Funders

©1921 - 2020

English PEN is a company limited by guarantee number 5747142 (England & Wales) and a registered charity, number 1125610.

We use cookies to help us improve your experience on our website. By closing this notification or interacting with the website you agree to our use of cookies. ACCEPT Find out more
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT