Editorial
“There are worse crimes than burning books,” said the Russian poet Joseph Brodsky. “One of them is not reading them.” Freedom to Read 2013 includes stories about both crimes: Lawrence Hill reflects on the threat to burn his Book of Negroes and I.M. GreNãda writes about the challenge of getting books into prisons.
Freedom to Read 2013 explores the shifting forces that threaten our free expression and celebrates those who defend our rights. Ron Deibert discusses his tireless work championing freedom of expression online. Anne Jayne writes about the showdown between the University of Calgary and twin brothers who wrote disparaging remarks about their professor on Facebook. And Mark Bourrie reveals how journalists have diminishing access to Parliament Hill. Brenda Cossman charts the tradition of censoring lesbian and gay literature in Canada. Charles Montpetit shares the story of Canadian artist and writer Franke James who took her message to the streets (and billboards) of Ottawa after the federal government denied her arts funding for criticizing Canada’s environmental record.
Freedom to Read 2013 also travels the world. Exiled Iranian author Ava Homa shares her story about the perils of being a journalist in Iran. And our “Global View” highlights some of the world’s worst Internet censors.
There is much more, including a roundup of current issues in the news, Hilary McLaughlin’s incisive look at Nick Cohen’s You Can’t Read This Book, and our “Get Involved” section which encourages you to celebrate and defend your freedom to read.
— Josh Bloch, Editor
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Book and Periodical Council Members 2012–13
News Bytes
By Franklin Carter
Cyberspace Visionary: Ron Deibert in Conversation
By Josh Bloch
Leave It to Readers
By Lawrence Hill
Marginalizing the Media on Parliament Hill
By Mark Bourrie
Unsuitable: Challenging LGBT
Censorship
By Brenda Cossman
Return of the Blacklist
By Charles Montpetit
Echoes from Exile
By Ava Homa
Boys and the Banned
By Lis Clemens
The Global View: Cyber Censorship
in 2012
When Students Don’t “Like” Professors
on Facebook
By Anne Jayne
Embracing Serendipity in the Big House Stacks
By I.M. GreNãda
Josef Škvorecký (1924–2012)
By Amanda Hopkins
Meanwhile in Quebec …
By Charles Montpetit
2012 Awards
Challenges to Materials and Policies in Canadian Libraries in 2011
By Donna Bowman and Alvin M. Schrader
Speaking Up for Transparency
By Charlie Foran
Looking Back: A Report from the Writers’ Union of Canada
By Ron Brown
Book Profile: Access Controlled
By Graeme Lottering
Book Profile: Finding the Words
By Teri Degler
Book Profile: You Can’t Read This Book
By Hilary McLaughlin
Freedom to Read Week Activities and Events Across Canada 2012
GET INVOLVED
Ideas for Educators
Freedom to Read 2013 Quiz
Speak Out for the Freedom to Read
Freedom to Read Word Search
Challenged Authors Word Search
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Editor: Josh Bloch
Consulting Editor: Franklin Carter
Creative Director: Reva Pomer
Poster Design: David Wyman
Contributors: Mark Bourrie, Donna Bowman, Ron Brown, Lis Clemens, Brenda Cossman, Teri Degler, Charles Foran, I.M. GreNãda, Lawrence Hill, Ava Homa, Amanda Hopkins, Anne Jayne, Graeme Lottering, Hilary McLaughlin, Charles Montpetit, Alvin M. Schrader, Erin Stropes
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