Tampere Freedom of Speech Event 2025
Freedom of speech is a core value: it is at the heart of every democratic society and a vital part of any free person’s day-to-day life. “What does freedom mean?” is a legitimate question in today’s United States.
The United States – what does freedom mean?
Initiated by the Pirkanmaa Regional Fund, the Freedom of Speech Event will take place in Tampere from the 22nd to the 24th of September 2025. The theme of the second edition of this debate forum is “The United States – what does freedom mean?”.
The event’s keynote speaker is the renowned journalist in American and global news media, Kathleen Carroll.
The main theme will be addressed and examined from various angles during public events featuring both international and Finnish thought leaders. The diverse audience will be presented with a broad array of insights on the global power struggle between the US and China and will have the chance to participate in a public debate on the freedom of the press in the US.
The Tampere Freedom of Speech Event is organised by the Pirkanmaa regional fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with the C. V. Åkerlund Media Foundation, the Foundation for the Promotion of Journalistic Culture (JOKES), Reporters Without Borders, the journalism programme at the University of Tampere, the Pan-European Institute at the University of Turku, the Finlayson district and Lännen Media.
Event programme
22 Sep at 6 pm
A grave new world
Rick Dunham (pictured left) is a long-time White House correspondent and political journalist from the US who currently runs the Global Business Journalism programme at Tsinghua University in China.
Mika Hentunen (pictured right) is a foreign reporter well known to Finnish TV viewers whose career so far has included seven correspondent’s postings. In the summer of 2025, he became the Finnish broadcasting company YLE’s Moscow correspondent.
22 Sep at 6 pm
A grave new world
Rick Dunham (pictured left) is a long-time White House correspondent and political journalist from the US who currently runs the Global Business Journalism programme at Tsinghua University in China.
Mika Hentunen (pictured right) is a foreign reporter well known to Finnish TV viewers whose career so far has included seven correspondent’s postings. In the summer of 2025, he became the Finnish broadcasting company YLE’s Moscow correspondent.
23.9. klo 16
The new great wall : Darién
Award-winning photojournalist Federico Ríos from Colombia provides a new perspective on the theme of freedom with his exhibition at Finlayson in Tampere. In a piece for the New York Times, Ríos covers the journey many Latin American migrants make to the United States and, increasingly, out of it. The exhibition will open during the Tampere Freedom of Speech Event.
23.9. klo 16
The new great wall : Darién
Award-winning photojournalist Federico Ríos from Colombia provides a new perspective on the theme of freedom with his exhibition at Finlayson in Tampere. In a piece for the New York Times, Ríos covers the journey many Latin American migrants make to the United States and, increasingly, out of it. The exhibition will open during the Tampere Freedom of Speech Event.
23 Sep at 6 pm
Declaration on Freedom of Speech in Tampere – event for invited guests
The keynote speaker will be US journalist Kathleen Carroll, a tireless defender of freedom of speech and a leader in decision-making about vital issues concerning journalists’ safety. She plays a leadership role in key organisations advocating for freedom of the press and has chaired the Pulitzer Prize Board.
23 Sep at 6 pm
Declaration on Freedom of Speech in Tampere – event for invited guests
The keynote speaker will be US journalist Kathleen Carroll, a tireless defender of freedom of speech and a leader in decision-making about vital issues concerning journalists’ safety. She plays a leadership role in key organisations advocating for freedom of the press and has chaired the Pulitzer Prize Board.
24 Sep at 10 am
Panel discussion for students and the public
This panel discussion intended for a large audience will offer a broad array of insights on the global power struggle between the US and China, and audience members will also have a chance to participate in a public debate on the freedom of press in the US at Tampere University’s School of Journalism. The discussion will be moderated by Matti Posio, Chief Editor of Lännen Media.
24 Sep at 10 am
Panel discussion for students and the public
This panel discussion intended for a large audience will offer a broad array of insights on the global power struggle between the US and China, and audience members will also have a chance to participate in a public debate on the freedom of press in the US at Tampere University’s School of Journalism. The discussion will be moderated by Matti Posio, Chief Editor of Lännen Media.
Watch all the speeches of the event
At the heart of the event is the Tampere Declaration on Freedom of Speech, in other words, the keynote speech, delivered this year by American journalist Kathleen Carroll. You can find recordings of all the speeches held in the event from our YouTube channel.
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Tampere Freedom of Speech Event 2023
Ukraine and Freedom of Speech
It was natural to choose Ukraine as the topic of our first event. What has been the tangible importance of freedom of speech in Ukraine´s story of independence? What lessons we all can draw from the experiences of Ukrainian journalists and experts? Ultimately the question is, what kind of freedom and how will Ukraine finally be able to secure.