PD Dr. Jan-Hinrik Schmidt will discuss the topic of
freedom of expression and the limits of what can be said with (social) psychologist
Oliver Decker, University of Leipzig,
Ursula Mertens, presiding judge at the Naumburg Higher Regional Court, and
Agnes Sander, (conflict) counsellor, mediator, and communication trainer. The debate format is inspired by the British House of Commons and will start at 6 pm.
The event is organised by the Francke Foundations in cooperation with the Federal Cultural Foundation as part of the annual theme "arguable".
Moderation:
Kerstin Hoppenhaus and
Kai Kupferschmidt, science journalists
About the Event
The right to freedom of expression is guaranteed in the German Basic Law in Article 5. According to a recent Allensbach survey, however, almost half of Germans feel they can no longer express their opinions freely. What is going on? In a variety of disputes in social life, we are also experiencing a shift in the red line, the limits of what can be said. Discussions are often very polarised to the point of disparagement; viewpoints are quickly pigeonholed as right-wing or left-wing. Irritated times of crisis, polarisation traps and the feeling of preferring to stay out of conflicts. The debate format, inspired by the British House of Commons, will involve all discussants respectfully and at eye level. The special feature: The audience, together with experts from society, politics, and science, can contribute their point of view on various theses by choosing their seat.
