IFLA Updates

Freadom has an undercover operative at the IFLA conference in South Korea. Read his latest update here.

Meanwhile, ALA has posted a summary of IFLA 2006 to date. Most of it is typical boilerplate, but the following passage is less than encouraging:

IFLA’s Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression sponsored a debate over the publication last year in a Danish newspaper of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed that offended many Muslims around the world. FAIFE chair Paul Sturges of the United Kingdom maintained the middle ground, as librarians from around the world, including several Arab nations, rang in on where to draw the line on “offensive” materials, while President Byrne wrapped up the debate with the old admonition that freedom of speech does not permit yelling “Fire!” at will in a crowded theater. “We live in a crowded theater,” he observed.

“We live in a crowded theater,” Good to know that IFLA President Alex Byrne is taking such a forthright stand against the Islamist war on free expression. One musn't offend the neighbors in that crowded theater, especially when they might saw your head off for doing it.