Jonathan Hernandez-Perez, Chair of the IFLA Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, spoke for IFLA at the event in Guadalajara, Mexico, sharing library experiences and reflecting on the interconnection between freedom of expression, and the freedoms to publish and read.

Four people (three men, one woman) in front of a white screen, smilingEarlier this year, IFLA joined the International Publishers Association, International Authors’ Forum and others in signing onto a statement on the urgency to protect and uphold freedom of expression, and the freedoms to publish and read.

This ‘trinity of freedoms’ represents an essential step if we are to be able to enjoy intellectual freedom, and all the benefits this brings in terms of creativity, innovation and civic participation.

Ensuring that this is possible represents a common commitment of libraries, publishers and writers. We also therefore have a shared interest in advocating for these freedoms, and finding ways to respond to threats to them.

This was the focus of a panel session at the International Publishers Association annual conference, held in Guadalajara, Mexico on 4-6 December. In addition to Jonathan Hernandez-Perez from IFLA, Jennifer Clement (Past President, PEN International), and Sherif Bakr (Al Arabi publishers, Egypt).

Each panellist talked about how they had come into their roles, and what upholding these freedoms looked like in their world. The interconnection between the freedoms came across clearly, as well as the threat posed by misinformation to critical thinking. The event was a useful opportunity to explain libraries’ work in selecting the works most relevant to their communities, and the importance of not being restricted or steered in this.

Jonathan in particular put the discussions in historical perspective, as well as setting out IFLA’s work to monitor censorship threats and support libraries facing these, as well as developing research and events around broader intellectual freedom themes. He also highlighted our recent survey on intellectual freedom activities in associations, and the upcoming book on censorship.

In his closing words, he stressed the key role for libraries, publishers and writers in addressing the erosion of truth and trust in the modern world. This was essential in order note to lose the capacity to address major issues such as public health and climate change. The issues we face require collective and coordinated action.