Michael J. Abramowitz: “We must protect the freedom”

Michael J. Abramowitz is the president of the Freedom House foundation, a former journalist and correspondent in the White House on behalf of The Wasington Post. His speech was primarily about attacks on freedom of speech.

Abramowitz presented the situation of journalists in the modern world and Arab countries who are murdered because they write about what is happening. Persons who discuss crimes and actions against the law are attacked, also by politicians. The guest of the Freedom Games also spoke about the fact that fewer and fewer people support freedom of speech and this is a global phenomenon. He also addressed the issue of the Internet, through which a dramatic change in the media industry took place. It has a huge impact on everything that is happening around us, and powers such as China and Russia use it for their own propaganda purposes. Abramowitz cited Clinton’s very apt words: “you can not control the internet” and in fact the situation in the media is becoming more and more out of control. China by direct control of facebook, for example, kills democracy.

Speaking about leaders who live dishonestly and cheat, he used a comparison to terrorism. Poland also appeared in his lecture with its problems regarding freedom of speech. Television is full of propaganda, only few people are aware of it. It will strongly affect the election. To stop this to some extent, people should be let to share their views and create a debate. “We must fight for freedom of speech” – that’s how Abramowitz summed up his speech, adding ideas how to really fight. First and foremost, we should teach young people how to distinguish facts and fiction in the media. However, to do this you have to be ready for anything and take the risk. The lecture ended with the words: “We must protect freedom”, which should be remembered by every one of us on the hundredth anniversary of Polish  independence.

Sabina Bałulis