Who decides if someone’s thoughts are buried and their voice unheard? How do they make that decision? Festival producers book thinkers and writers to appear on literal platforms. Social media users and protestors are often outraged by their choices citing harm, offence, and bigotry as reasons to cancel talent. So how do festival programmers balance public pressure with their editorial priorities?

‘Disinvitations’ attract just as much criticism for suffocating free speech. Controversy erupts and sponsors get cold feet. So how do festival programmers decide where to draw the line? Australia’s leading artistic directors of ideas and literary festivals joined us for our last Ethics of event in 2018 to share how and why they select certain thinkers.

We found out if they feel they ever got it wrong, and what it feels like to be subjected to a no-platforming protest. Former Premier Bob Carr reflected on no-platforming pressure in politics before the days of social media. Publisher, Shona, brought her insight into the public pressure toward storytelling, while FODI Presenter Ann shared her experiences of public pressure around who gets the stage. 

Catch up

Tune into the conversation below and reflect on your own prejudices and thinking around platforming and free speech. Have you ever wished someone wasn’t given a stage? From the unpopular to the offensive and the downright abhorrent, what thinking should be explored, debated and challenged in the light of day? When should a festival programmer concede to a protest and when should they stand strong and defend their billed talent?