Google Hosts Big Tent Event in Tunisia To Discuss Freedom of Expression Online

Google’s Event at the Freedom Online Coalition Conference features representatives from Governments, NGOs and Civil Society

17th of June, 2013 – Tunis, Tunisia – Google announced today it is hosting a Big Tent event in Tunisia as part of the Freedom Online Coalition Conference, focusing on free expression in the Arab world.

The Big Tent brings together corporations, politicians and involved civil society members. Featured speakers include Ahmed Gaaloul, member of the Shoura Council of the Ennahdha Party in Tunisia, and Slim Amamou, Tunisian blogger and the former Secretary of State for Sport and Youth. Google’s head of free expression Ross Lajeunesse will give a global perspective, while artists and feminists will debate the boundaries of free speech in film and writing in the reigon.

The Freedom Online coalition was launched in the Hague in November, 2012. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opened the conference launching the coalition at a Big Tent. Fourteen countries (including Canada, Mexico, Sweden and the USA joined together to promote Internet freedom. Since the launch, Freedom Online has grown into a promising project. It has expanded into Latin America, to include Costa Rica as well as Mexico, and to Africa, to include Kenya as well as Ghana.

“The Big Tent is Google’s place to engage in spirited and constructive debate, often featuring opposing opinions. Google began hosting these events to discuss the tough issues facing the Internet, privacy, security, intellectual property, freedom of expression and others. “Tonight, we will focus on freedom of expression on the Web – in Tunisia and around the Arab world.” stated Ross LaJeunesse, Global Head of Free Expression and International Relations at Google. He added, “At Google, we have a bias in favor of free expression—not just because it’s a key tenet of free societies, but also because more information generally means more choice, more power, more economic opportunity and more freedom for people.”

Big Tent Tunisia aims to bring together multiple stakeholders from governments, NGOs and others in order to produce a fruitful and constructive dialogue. The discussion’s goal is to shed light on the topic of freedom of expression on the Web, showcase its defenders and highlight the negative consequences of growing censorship by governments around the world.

For more information, please visit: http://www.google.com/events/bigtenttunis2013/

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