Practical
Friday, 2 May, 2025
- 12:00 until 23:59
BOZAR - Centre for fine Arts
Ravensteinstraat 23
1000 Brussel
Ravensteinstraat 23
1000 Brussel
Free of charge
Speak freely, listen carefully, different opinions matter
Free speech and press freedom are highly valued at the VUB. That is why every year on International Press Freedom Day we organise Difference Day. We do this together with Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Erasmushogeschool Brussel (EHB), Bozar, the European Commission, Unesco and numerous other partners.
During Difference Day, we hold debates on the global state of journalism and free expression, award the Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression and organise the Student Speakers Corner in the heart of Brussels. In 2025, we will already be organizing the 11th edition!
âIf you believe in freedom of expression, you have to be able to handle criticismâ
During Difference Day on 2 May, cartoonist Lectrr will take part in the panel discussion âWhere to draw the line: hate speech vs free speech in cartoonsâ. Heâs already had to deal with opposition, threats and censorship. So where does he draw the line? âCartoons can be painful, totally over the top, nauseating or just not funny.â
âI hope to one day return to Rwanda, when press freedom is restoredâ
Samuel Baker Byansi, Rwandan author and investigative journalist, laureate of the 2025 Difference Day Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression: "I have been intimidated, censored, threatened, prosecuted, and arrested multiple times. On one occasion, I was even tortured. Iâm not the only one who has faced this. Journalists who publish critical or independent content in Rwanda run a high risk of being detained. This is often justified with vague charges such as âspreading rumoursâ or âinciting rebellion.â
âInvestigative journalists arenât popular in Italyâ
Cecilia Anesi, Italian journalist and laureate for IRPI, winner of the 2025 Difference Day Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression: "When we do fieldwork, our security desk is always informed. They know what time the journalist has meetings, and with whom, and theyâre available 24/7. Weâve not been threatened personally yet, but we have been put under serious legal pressure. It creates huge psychological pressure on the journalist in question. Iâve been summoned several times, but fortunately never convicted. We also have a strict policy for our journalism: things like fact-checking and no offensive language."
"Itâs fashionable to portray journalists as spreaders of fake news"
Belgian journalist Karl van den Broeck: âJournalists, along with artists, are always the first to face attacks in authoritarian regimes. Increasingly, democracies suffer from the same malaise. Itâs fashionable to portray journalists as out-of-touch individuals, spreaders of fake news, or disguised activists. As if public debate should be reserved solely for politicians.â
Re-listen to the interviews and debates from Difference Day 2024:
The world needs you
This initiative is part of VUB's public programme: a programme for everyone who believes that scientific knowledge sharing, critical thinking and dialogue are an important first step to create impact in the world.
As an Urban Engaged University, VUB aims to be a driver of change in the world. With our academic edcuational programmes and innovative research, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and to making a difference locally and globally.
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