WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Liudmila Chernova — Artistic freedom is increasingly under attack from governments worldwide, which employ tools ranging from censorship to targeted killings to keep unwelcome topics under wraps, Freemuse Executive Director Ole Reitov told Sputnik.
“I would love any dialogue with any kind of censorship mechanism, or state authorities, but definitely this issue [defending artistic freedom] is not on the priority list of any countries,” Reitov stated on Monday.
Reitov’s comments follow the release of his group’s annual report depicting a 98 percent increase in censorship and attacks on artistic freedom in 2015, over the previous year.
The report names China as the top opponent of artistic freedom, with 146 violations, including 126 cases of censorship. A blacklist of 120 songs released by the Chinese government in August 2015 accounts for the bulk of China’s censorship, the report explains.
Reitov noted that “some governments are hesitant to meet with the groups such as Freemuse.”
“So, those governments we can talk directly to are basically those who are positive to defending artistic freedom. There are a few who have been doing excellent work,” he said.
Reitov praised the United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for raising awareness of the issue.
“We have done a couple sessions at UNESCO with around 110 country delegates there, so they know what we are talking about, but that does not mean necessarily that they are interested in a dialogue,” he said. “We prefer dialogue, rather than just pointing fingers.”
Freemuse is a Denmark-based independent international organization that defends freedom of expression for musicians and composers worldwide, according to its website.
"It is always interesting when people in power talk about artists… Many feel insecure in the world today," Reitov stated.
He noted that people in power find it relatively easy to target artists rather than real problems facing society.
Artists often address social issues, political corruption, so they become targets of whoever feels frustrated about the situation," he continued.
The growth of neo-nationalism, partially because of the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe, and increased attacks on artists from NGOs and civil society are the new trends of 2015, Reitov added.
"Conflicts within countries also have an effect on the arts. Take, for example, the case of Turkey — there are many internal political conflicts in the country, and some have to do with minorities, especially with the Kurds. Moreover, Turkey is involved in the conflicts in the surrounding countries," Reitov explained.
