1968 Olympics Protesters, Charlie Hebdo Cartoonist, and Reporters Who Uncovered Workplace Harassment Awarded the Newseum Free Expression Awards

Dr. Tommie Smith (center) and Dr. John Carlos (right) both accepted Newseum Free Expression Awards for their protest on the medal podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

On April 17, the Newseum presented the 2018 Free Expression Awards, now in its third year, to a group of individuals who exhibit passion for and dedication to free expression. The honorees have taken personal or professional risks in sharing critical information with the public, have been censored or punished by authorities or other groups for their work, or have pushed boundaries in artistic and media expression.

The New York Times Company chairman and former publisher of The New York Times Arthur Sulzberger Jr. received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work to shape and implement innovative print and online initiatives at the Times. During his tenure as publisher, the paper earned 60 Pulitzer Prizes and provided its readers with innumerable examples of momentous journalism.

"The Newseum reminds us that great journalism has many purposes: to inform, to enlighten, to challenge and to surprise," said Sulzberger. "The highest and noblest role of a free press is holding power to account. That's been true throughout our nation's history but it is especially true to remember today." 

Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue (Maria Bryk/Newseum)

• Dr. John Carlos and Dr. Tommie Smith both accepted awards for their brave protest on the medal podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Together they lowered their heads and raised their gloved fists in a silent protest of the mistreatment of black Americans and people of color everywhere. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, retired professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, presented their awards.

• Thirteen journalists from four news publications received a Free Expression Award on behalf of all journalists who uncovered sexual misconduct in the workplace. Their work broke through a dam of suppressed stories and silenced voices to reveal decades-long harassment throughout the American workplace, including media, film, sports, manufacturing, the arts and Congress.

• Charlie Hebdo cartoonist Laurent "Riss" Sourisseau received a Free Expression Award for his fierce defense of the fundamental right to free expression. In January 2015, terrorists attacked the Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris, killing 12 of Riss's colleagues in revenge for the newspaper's caricatured portrayals of the prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam. In the three years since, millions have marched under the banner "Je Suis Charlie" ("I am Charlie") and, undaunted, Riss and his colleagues continue to exercise their freedom of expression to satirize the pompous and powerful.

• The 2017 Free Expression Awards honored U.S. Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis; Apple CEO Tim Cook; journalist Martha Raddatz; Becket Law executive director Kristina Arriaga de Bucholz; Playboy founder and editor-in-chief Hugh Hefner; and former Playboy Enterprises Chairman and CEO Christie Hefner.

The Entire Free Expression Awards Program Video:

SOURCE: Newseum

Related Videos:

"Beyond I Do" Campaign Launches to Raise Awareness about the Prevalence of Discrimination Against LGBT People in the United States

The goal of the Beyond I Do campaign is to raise awareness of the discrimination millions of LGBT Americans face every day and to promote equality for all Americans.

A campaign launching today aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the United States, despite the widespread misconception they have basic protections.

The public service campaign from the Ad Council, in partnership with the Gill Foundation, promotes acceptance, empathy and understanding for the millions of LGBT Americans who can be kicked out of their homes, fired from their jobs or denied services because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Created by ad agency CP+B with research and strategy from Redscout, the "Beyond I Do" campaign will confront the common misconception that LGBT Americans received full equality along with the right to marry.  

The campaign highlights many stories of Americans who have faced discrimination across the country, along with facts about discrimination, at BeyondIDo.org. They speak for the 55 percent of LGBT people who have reported being discriminated against due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. 1 And while public opinion research shows 79 percent of non-LGBT Americans support equality for LGBT people, 80 percent mistakenly believe it's illegal under federal law to fire, evict or refuse service to someone because they are LGBT. 2 3 In reality, 31 states lack comprehensive protections and allow these acts of discrimination against LGBT Americans.4

"Everyone should have the ability to live in safety, support their families, and go about their daily lives without the fear of being turned away because they're gay or transgender," said Lisa Sherman, Ad Council President and CEO. "By sharing powerful and poignant stories, this campaign highlights the values we hold so dear as Americans and provides a real opportunity to grow awareness and empathy."

"Beyond I Do" features stories of Americans from across the country who have been fired from their jobs, kicked out of their homes, or denied services because they are LGBT. They include:

• Krista and Jami of Michigan, who were married in 2012. A pediatrician refused to provide medical care for their six-day-old newborn because of the couple's sexual orientation. It was, and still is, legal in Michigan for a doctor to refuse service to a child based on the sexual orientation of the child's parents.
• Aaron and Shaun, who were married in 2015. Shortly after their joyous September wedding, they attempted to place an announcement in Shaun's hometown newspaper in Missouri to continue the celebration with his childhood friends and neighbors. The publisher decided that announcing the marriage between two men was inappropriate, and denied the announcement.
• Jimmie and Mindy of Ohio, who became the first LGBT couple to marry in Franklin County. Jimmie was unexpectedly fired from her job as a teacher when her school's principal and board members had "questions about her sexuality." Until that point, Jimmie had received nothing but positive performance evaluations.

Actor Nick Offerman also lends his voice to the campaign by recording radio spots that will be heard nationwide. Several media partners have made commitments to the "Beyond I Do" campaign prior to launch including Fox Networks Group, Oath, Pinterest and Upworthy.

"The power of this campaign comes from leveraging the shocking fact that millions of Americans are being denied basic rights," said Quinn Katherman, Creative Director, CP+B. "We realized that nothing could ever be as compelling as the true stories these couples have to tell."

"We wanted to be clear and non-judgmental with the message that we are all just human beings and yet some of us are denied basic rights," said Redscout Founder and Chairman, Jonah Disend. "Through real stories, the campaign is exposing the fact that the right to marriage wasn't a golden ticket to equal rights for LGBT Americans."

➤  Read all of the stories at BeyondIDo.org and learn more about discrimination protections in your state.

Footnotes:

1 GLAAD: Accelerating Acceptance 2018. A Survey of American Acceptance and Attitudes Toward LGBTQ Americans. Conducted by The Harris Poll. Available at: glaad.org/files/aa/Accelerating%20Acceptance%202018.pdf 
2 Ibid. 
3 Jones, Robert P., Betsy Cooper, Daniel Cox, and Rachel Lienesch. "Majority of Americans Oppose Laws Requiring Transgender Individuals to Use Bathrooms Corresponding to Sex at Birth Rather than Gender Identity." PRRI. 2016. prri.org/research/poll-lgbt-transgender-bathroom-bill-presidential-election/.
4 BeyondIDo.org

SOURCE: Ad Council

The Videos:

"A Different Kind Of Fire And Fury; Revenge" - A Timely, High-Octane Revenge Thriller For The #MeToo Era

"A Different Kind Of Fire And Fury; Revenge" - Cover

Julie Reichwein's new thriller is a raw revenge fantasy where fiction meets the real-world fight to stop sexual assault. 

The story begins as Detective Michelle Velasquez is assigned to two cases, the first of which is the rape of financial company intern Maria Acevedo. The second is a 30-year-old murder case involving her former friend, Susie Murphy.

Synopsis:

(Via WebWire)

Detective Michelle Velasquez kicks ass with the Santa Fe Police Department, and she’ll need all her moxie May, 2013 as she’s assigned two cases which may be related. She’s assigned a vicious rape case of Maria Acevedo, an intern with the Jones Financial Group, as she gets a call from an old friend, Richard Stanberry III. He’s intent on re-connecting, but she’s suspicious of his motives for good reason. 

As she digs into Maria Acevedo’s rape case, she’s assigned a thirty year old murder case of her former friend, Susie Murphy, who happened to be Richard Stanberry III’s girlfriend at the time of her murder. If Detective Velasquez wants to solve both cases, she’s going to have to put her life on the line to uncover some dark secrets that some prefer to stay buried.

The Trailer:

(Via Julie Reichwein's Twitter)

Book review by; https://t.co/BynBwIx5a2
Reichwein has her sights clearly set on the genre's bestsellers & has come out fighting w/a series that has huge potential.
A Different Kind Of Fire And Fury; Revenge is highly recommendedhttps://t.co/3DfG98WZ8V #IARTG #SNRTG #SupportIA pic.twitter.com/t6WQf3n0tt

— Julie Reichwein (@JulieReichwein1) April 1, 2018

Some Of The Reactions About the Book:

"Like the Uma Thurman revenge thriller Kill Bill, Reichwein's narrative is full-bore from the get-go…The title is an apt description for the raw emotion on display in this most unusual and effective novel." - Bestthrillers.com Book Review

"A classy and edgy debut for Reichwein and one that's sure to get her noticed by avid readers of the genre... A sure sign of a bestseller the forward momentum is relentless as Detective Michelle Velasquezfinds herself drawn into a web of lies and misdirection and whilst Reichwein may be new to the genre she's clearly adept at revealing her characters' emotions…Readers who like James Patterson will find this certainly hits the mark…."

"With her sights clearly set on the genre's bestsellers, Reichwein has come out fighting with a series that has huge potential and A Different Kind Of Fire And Fury; Revenge is highly recommended." - Bookviral.com Book Review

"Author Julie Reichwein has put together a gripping, relentless, super fast psychological thriller and I wouldn't expect less when it comes to... revenge! She did a thorough research about the different characters, for instance, sexual assailants and their psychology. The characters souls are masterfully exposed in their sick, gritty, dirty and dark glory…Reichwein is very good also when it comes to describing scenes, she makes it look effortless as she uses the exact right amount of description – not wordy but also not lacking in detail, this will make the reader easily visualize the scene in his/her mind. This novel features strong language and it is sexually charged."  - Circleofbooks.com 5 star review

About The Author:

(Via WebWire)

Author, Julie Reichwein, is a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was inspired to write her first book because of her interest in criminal psychology. Reichwein has been a life long reader and some of her favorite authors are Nelson DeMille, Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn, Tess Geritsen, David Baldacci, Janet Evanovich, Patricia Cornwell, Robert B. Parker, John Grisham and Dennis Leheane.

⏩ "A Different Kind Of Fire And Fury; Revenge" is available on Amazon

SOURCE: Julie Reichwein

Book Release: Satirical Novel from 2076 Describes America's Self-Destruction

"The History of the Decline and Fall of America, A Semi-Fictional Satire" - Book Cover

Azaria Press has released The History of the Decline and Fall of America, A Semi-Fictional Satire. Award-winning humorist Scott Erickson assumes the identity of a British historian looking back from the year 2076 to reveal how and why America fell.

⏩ The book is for people who suspect America is collapsing and need validation. The message to the reader is: You're not crazy, it's the world.

By examining America's past and projecting it into the future, the book allows readers to clearly comprehend how America's core assumptions have determined American history and will determine America's destiny. It shows that America is destroying itself while remaining absolutely clueless as to the reasons why.

The book provides insights into a variety of questions, such as: 

• Why is the cost of living continually rising with no end in sight? 
• What will happen now that oil is beginning to run out? 
• What are the effects of America's addiction to economic growth? 
• Why is America leaning toward fascism? 
• Why is the "dumbing down of America" turning into "America's embrace of stupidity"?

The History of the Decline and Fall of America openly embraces what America refuses to admit: If America doesn't change course, it's doomed.

The History of the Decline and Fall of America, A Semi-Fictional Satire 
Azaria Press
ISBN: 978-0-9898311-7-8
Available via amazon.com

The History of the Decline and Fall of America – Author Q&A:

(Via scott-erickson-writer.com)

Who is the audience for the book?

I think of the audience for the book as one of two basic types of people: people who suspect America is collapsing and need validation, and for people convinced America is collapsing and would like supporting evidence.

What value does it provide for this audience?

Hopefully the book will provide a kind of support or vindication. The message to them is: You’re not crazy; it’s the world. Because a lot of the time what makes us feel crazy isn’t what we’re feeling, but thinking that we’re the only ones feeling it. So in a curious way, I hope that the book will provide peace of mind. For those stressed about the possibility that America is collapsing, here’s some good news: You’re right!

A lot of people might think it’s a crazy idea to consider that America is going to collapse.

It shouldn’t be. The signs are everywhere, for anyone who cares to look. Although America refuses to openly consider that the country could possibly collapse, a growing number of people are actively preparing for it—not only “doomsday preppers” but also Silicon Valley billionaires who are investing in overseas escape properties. Respected economists openly discuss how our debt-based economic system can’t be sustained. Books such as Collapse make it very clear that America is following the same course as many doomed civilizations from the past.

But somehow, the idea isn’t openly discussed.

There seems to be a kind of taboo about openly considering the idea. Of course, it makes sense that people don’t really want to consider that the society they’re totally dependent on might collapse. Do parents really want to consider the possibility that they’re raising children to enter a doomed society?

Yet somehow a lot of people broke through that taboo.

For me personally, there’s a curious “disconnect” that can feel surreal. In my particular social circle, the idea of America collapsing is a no-brainer. When the topic comes up, the only question is about the timing—how much time have we got. Or what will be the trigger. But outside of that circle, I feel like I have to be careful who I bring up the topic with.

Because they might think you’re crazy?

Yes—that I’m some kind of “doomsday nut” or something. But over time I’m finding that a lot of people don’t find the idea crazy, but are afraid of breaking that taboo. I suppose that’s understandable, because lot of doomsayers really are crazy. Which is one reason why people resist talking about collapse, out of fear they’ll be seen as one of the crazy people carrying a sign saying “The End is Near.” As opposed to people concerned about collapse for entirely rational reasons.

How did this book come about?

My two previous satires explored environmental destruction and the growing embrace of stupidity. When I was considering what topic to write about, Donald Trump was campaigning for president. The rise of the alt-right and fascist rhetoric basically chose my topic for me.

But the title of your book doesn’t even mention fascism.

As I was considering how to approach the topic, it occurred to me that you can’t really understand fascism in isolation. Historically fascism has arisen as a response to social and political crisis. In the case of America, a main point of my book is that America is responsible for creating the crisis. You can’t really understand the rise of fascism in America without understanding the overall decline of America.

What makes your book unique?

Instead of exploring America’s problems in isolation, it examines then together to show how they’re interrelated and self-reinforcing. In this way, the book is able to provide answers to a variety of questions, such as: Why is the cost of living rising, and will continue to rise? What will happen now that oil is beginning to run out? What are the effects of our addiction to economic growth? Why is the “dumbing down of America” turning into “America’s embrace of stupidity”?

Why a “semi-fictional” book? That’s a very unusual approach.

It’s a curious mix, combining fiction with non-fiction, but it’s the only way I could communicate my message. Basically, everything I write about that occurs up to the present is based on historical research. As the historical past transitions into the future, fiction takes over in portraying how this movement may unfold. This allows readers to clearly comprehend how America’s core assumptions have determined American history and will determine America’s future. It reveals that, as Lao Tzu put it, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”

You could have written a straight non-fiction book. Why satire?

There have been plenty of serious non-fiction books about everything I write about in the book. Such as the effects of environmental destruction. In the book Collapse, Jared Diamond made it extremely clear that civilizations that destroyed their environments did not survive. Yet what was the effect of that book?

Let me guess. Nothing?

That’s exactly right! You win this round and advance to the semi-finals. So we don’t need another “serious” book. From my point of view, all I could possibly contribute was satire. All I can hope is that satire communicates the message in a way that “serious” books cannot.

Are you concerned that people will find the book depressing?

This is one reason I think satire was the best approach. It can help us laugh at things that might otherwise cause us to sink in despair. It’s the reason that Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was so important. The prospect of total nuclear war and the destruction of humanity should be depressing. But at a very critical time for a lot of people, that movie allowed people to laugh about it. Hopefully my book will allow people to stop worrying and love America’s self-destruction. Don’t mourn the impending death of America, celebrate the glory of what’s left of America, while we can.

About the Author:

Scott Erickson (image via Amazon)

Scott Erickson is an award-winning writer of humor and satire. His other books include the satirical novels The Invasion of the Dumb Snatchers and The Diary of Amy, the 14-Year-Old Girl Who Saved the Earth. He lives in Portland, Oregon, and is possibly the nicest curmudgeon you'll ever meet.

⏩ Visit www.scott-erickson-writer.com  for more information

SOURCE: Azaria Press

Marvel Studios' "AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR" Goes Beyond The Screen In First-Ever Moviebill Edition Available Nationwide Only At Regal Cinemas

"Avengers: Infinity War" (image via Regal Entertainment Group)

When Marvel Studios' highly anticipated AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR opens on April 27th, fans will be able to broaden their experience and connection with all-new, exclusive augmented reality (AR) content in the first-ever Moviebill, available nationwide only at Regal Cinemas.

A collectible magazine hand-delivered directly to Regal moviegoers at the box-office or ticket entryway, Moviebill recalls the programs of yesteryear, contemporized in a way that has never been seen by audiences through an innovative AR experience that enhances the moviegoing experience and brings fans closer than ever to their favorite films.

The Regal mobile app will be the first to host Moviebill's proprietary image-recognition technology and bring the content to life through AR experiences creating a multi-faceted, seamless online and offline experience. Moviebill will be available on 9+ million users' devices at launch.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR will be the first movie featured by the hybrid media publication/mobile experience. The special inaugural AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR issue will feature in-depth content related to the film, including interviews with cast and crew members, image galleries, behind-the-scenes videos, games, exclusive cover art, and other bonus feature materials that come to life via AR technology. Additionally, through Moviebill's strategic partnership with IMDb, which will be sponsoring the Cast Section, consumers will be able to scan the lead actors' images for exclusive interviews, trivia and games.

"We're working closely with Marvel Studios and Disney to ensure the edition is a true deep dive into the film," said Matthew Shreder and James Andrew Felts, founders of Moviebill. "Consumers are the kings and queens, and fans are hungrier than ever for Avengers content. It's an honor to be launching with the biggest and most exciting franchise in today's entertainment marketplace."

⏩ Moviebill is free for AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR ticket holders and will only be available at Regal during the opening week. More than one million copies will be shipped exclusively to Regal theatres nationwide.

"Regal is proud to bring another innovation to the cinema experience by partnering with Moviebill and introducing this AR technology to the masses," stated Ken Thewes, CMO at Regal. "By focusing on the customer, we continue to find new innovations and partnerships that enhance the overall Regal moviegoing experience for our guests."

"Avengers: Infinity War" - Moviebill Edition (PRNewsfoto/Regal Entertainment Group)

About Moviebill:

Moviebill is an entertainment print, mobile and online media platform that utilizes Augmented Reality technology to bring content to life for the biggest movies of the year.  Created by Concourse Media principals James Andrew Felts and Matthew Shreder, Moviebill offers moviegoers exclusive content and interactive experiences nationwide through their studio and cinema partnerships. Each edition of Moviebill is tailor-made to one of the most highly anticipated blockbuster movies of the year and is hand-delivered directly to each moviegoer at the cinema. Shreder and Felts run a multi-faceted entertainment group which manages three separate divisions: film distribution company Concourse Film Trade, creative marketing and audience engagement firm I&Co, and moviegoer experience company Concourse Cinema Ventures which operates Moviebill. Felts and Shreder have distributed over 30 feature films in their tenure as entertainment executives.

⏩ Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.moviebill.com

"Avengers: Infinity War" (image via Regal Entertainment Group)

About Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Infinity War" 

An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Infinity War" brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe. 

Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film, which is produced by Kevin Feige. Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Trinh Tran, Jon Favreau, James Gunn and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay. "Avengers: Infinity War" releases in U.S. theaters on April 27, 2018.

SOURCE: Regal Entertainment Group

Related Videos:

mike's HARDER and Deadpool Join Forces for Highly Anticipated Sequel

Deadpool and mike's HARDER (image from mike’s HARDER site)

Hold on to your chimichangas, mike's HARDER teams up with everyone's favorite anti-hero leading up to the release of "Deadpool 2." The unique partnership spans multiple consumer touchpoints including film product placement, exclusive in-theater content, co-branded digital ads and exclusive experiences for fans.

For the first time, fans 21 years old and older will get to experience Wade Wilson's favorite mercenary hangout – the iconic Sister Margaret's School for Wayward Girls – at the HARDER adaptation of Sister Margaret's Pop-up Experiences in New York City and Los Angeles. 

⏩ The Los Angeles event will be conducted by and for the benefit of DTLA Film Festival, a nonprofit organization.

For three nights, fans will get to place their bets in the "Dead Pool," play on the iconic Sister Margaret's pool table and mingle with mercenaries. Exclusive HARDER-Deadpool 2 flavors will be served and some of Wade's favorite snacks will be provided – West Coasters can enjoy chimichangas, while Brooklynites can chow down on pizza. Leading up to each event, locals can catch the exclusive Sister Margaret's video hitting late night TV in both New York City and Los Angeles.

• NYC: Alligator Lounge, April 26-28, 7 PM – 11:30 PM
• LA: Slipper Clutch, May 10-12, 7 PM – 11:30 PM

"Deadpool and HARDER make a perfect duo - they are both bold, provocative, and unapologetically take risks. This partnership hits the spot just right, "said Sanjiv Gajiwala, senior vice president of marketing, Mike's Hard Lemonade. "Just like HARDER, Deadpool doesn't just live a little, he lives a lot. If he sees a chance, he takes two. He doesn't wait for one door to open, he kicks them all down."

"We loved working with mike's HARDER on the first movie and are excited to see this epic relationship continue to grow.  The mike's HARDER team has really had fun crafting this campaign!" said Zachary Eller, executive vice president of marketing partnerships, 20th Century Fox.

To celebrate the partnership and commemorate the release of the sequel, 12 HARDER flavor cans will be emblazoned with the "Deadpool 2" limited-edition collectible packaging and slogans including, "Any HARDER and it wouldn't be liquid," "Nice cans," and "Not your grandma's sauce."

⏩ As part of the partnership, HARDER is also offering fans the chance to win an all-expense paid trip for two to a "Deadpool 2" red carpet event as well as an all-expense paid trip for two to a comic convention in San Diego this July. Visit mikesharder.com/deadpool2 for sweepstakes rules and details.

Exclusive HARDER-Deadpool content is currently airing in 1,267 theaters nationwide starting in advance of R-rated movies, and co-branded digital ads will go live on April 17.

Deadpool (still from the "Deadpool Fan Screening" video)

About "Deadpool 2":

After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry's hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor - finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World's Best Lover.

SOURCE: mike’s HARDER

Related Videos:

More Deadpool Related Links:

• 20 Hilarious Deadpool Vs Spider-Man Memes
• Did DEADPOOL Change the Future of the X-MEN Cinematic Universe?
• Deadpool Finds The Easter Egg In New Poster
• The Hasty Pudding Theatricals Announces Ryan Reynolds as The 2017 Man of The Year
• Deadpool [2016] - Trailer

The Economist Announces "Open Future" Initiative; Remakes The Case For The Newspaper's Founding Principles Amid Populism And Growing Authoritarianism

Still from the "What is The Economist's Open Future project?" video

The Economist, a leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs, today announced "Open Future", an editorially driven initiative (economist.com/openfuture) which aims to remake the case for The Economist's founding principles of classical British liberalism which are being challenged from all sides in the current political climate of populism and authoritarianism.

"Although the world has changed dramatically since James Wilson founded The Economist to fight against the Corn Laws, the liberalism we have championed since 1843 is as important and relevant as ever," said Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief, The Economist.  "Yet the core tenets of that liberalism—faith in free markets and open societies—face greater resistance today than they have for many years. From globalisation to free speech, basic elements of the liberal credo are assailed from right and left."

"The Trump Era" (still from the "What is The Economist's Open Future project?" video)

Content for Open Future will be developed and organised around five themes: 

• Open Society (diversity, and individual rights versus group rights) 

• Open Borders (migration); Open Markets (trade, markets, taxes and welfare reform) 

• Open Ideas (free speech); and Open Progress (the impact and regulation of technology) 

⏩ In addition to content from The Economist editorial staff, the Open Future hub will feature commentary from outside contributors, including from those with dissenting points of view.

"The Economist - Open Future" Logo

The initiative launches with a debate between Larry Summers and Evan Smith about no-platforming and free speech at universities. Mr Summers is the Charles W. Eliot University Professor and President Emeritus at Harvard University. He served as Secretary of the Treasury for President Clinton and as the Director of the National Economic Council for President Barack Obama. Evan Smith is a Research Fellow in history at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia and is writing a book on the history of no-platforming.

A special report on the future of liberalism written by editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes will appear in the newspaper's 175th anniversary edition dated September 15th. And on that Saturday, the newspaper will host the Open Future Festival, to be held simultaneously in Hong Kong, London and New York. There will also be an Open Future essay contest for young people; surveys and other data visualisations; podcasts; social-media programmes and new video from Economist Films.

About The Economist:

With a growing global audience and a reputation for insightful analysis and perspective on every aspect of world events, The Economist is one of the most widely recognised and well-read current affairs publications in the world. In addition to the weekly print and digital editions and website, The Economist publishes Espresso, a daily news app, Global Business Review, a bilingual English-Chinese product and a Economist VR, a virtual-reality app. Economist Radio produces several podcasts a week, and Economist Films produces short- and long-form video. The Economist maintains robust social communities on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, LINE, Medium and other social networks. A recipient of many editorial and marketing awards, The Economist was recently named the most trusted news source in the 2017 Trusting News Project Report.

SOURCE: The Economist

Related Videos: