Media events: on-stage interviews with Ahmet Altan and Amol Rajan...
|
Version 0 of 1. Some media events for your diary, beginning with English PEN’s hosting of an interview in a London theatre with the prominent Turkish journalist and author, Ahmet Altan. He was formerly the editor-in-chief and main columnist of the liberal daily newspaper, Taraf, noted for its revelations of Turkish military interventions in politics and as an early partner of Wikileaks. Altan has also written nine novels, including three bestsellers, winning several literary prizes plus awards for championing press freedom. In 2008, he was charged with “denigrating Turkishness” for publishing an article dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide. This month, one of Altan’s novels, a thriller entitled Endgame, will be published in English for the first time. To celebrate the fact, English PEN has joined with the publisher Canongate to stage an interview with Altan by Philippe Sands QC. It is expected to deal with his contribution to Turkish journalism and literature along with the threats to freedom of expression in Turkey. The conversation will take place at the Arcola Theatre in Dalston on Sunday 30 August, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets available here. Media Society: mini Fleet Street and surveillance On 7 October, the Media Society, in company with the London Press Club, is staging an interview with the editor of the Independent, Amol Rajan. The first and only non-white editor of a national daily will be in conversation with Phil Harding. Rajan won’t have to move far because it will take place at Northcliffe House, home to his newspaper. The building is a sort of mini Fleet Street, also housing the Mail titles, Metro and the London Evening Standard. It kicks off at 6.30 for 7pm. Tickets available here via Eventbrite. On 19 October, the Media Society, this time in association with the Information Law and Policy Centre, will host a panel debate entitled “Whose investigatory power is it anyway?” Speakers will talk about the government’s intention to amend the law on communications data with a new investigatory powers bill. They will consider the possible dangers for journalism and freedom of expression. On the panel will be Dominic Grieve, the former attorney general; Rachel Logan, of Amnesty International UK; Ewen MacAskill, the Guardian’s defence and intelligence correspondent; and barrister Jessica Simor. It will be chaired by Judith Townend, director of London university’s Centre for Law & Information Policy, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. The debate, running from 6.30-8.30pm, will take place at Reed Smith in Broadgate Tower, London. Tickets available here via Eventbrite. |