Money, media, and the high cost of free speech are brought into sharp relief in the film Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s documentary film festival, KDocs, presents a free on-campus screening of Brian Knappenberger's timely and cautionary tale of how money can silence media on Oct. 25 at KPU’s Surrey campus.
The trial between Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media pitted privacy rights against freedom of the press, and raised important questions about how money can silence media. Reporters investigating Hogan’s sex tape and the sale of the Las Vegas Journal-Review found something unprecedented: billionaires covertly using their fortunes to silence the media.
“It’s imperative that we continue to have discussions about freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and other topical social justice issues,” said KDocs founder and festival director Janice Morris. “Documentary film is the perfect medium to bring these issues to light as the issues can be explored in depth, which will hopefully spark conversation, and, in turn, action.”
An English instructor at KPU and documentary film buff, Morris began KDocs five years ago in 2012 with a single screening. Since then, KDocs has partnered with the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and has doubled in size each year to 14 films for the upcoming 2018 season. Morris can add yet another feather to her cap, as one of the jury members at this year’s VIFF.
“It’s rewarding to see how well-received and highly regarded KDocs has become,” said Morris. “I’m honoured to be one of the jurors at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival, and I’m excited to see the connections and conversations that unfold from the films there and at KDocs.”
KDoc’s screening of Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The event will include a keynote address given by veteran journalist Kirk LaPointe, followed by Q&A/panel discussion with KPU journalism instructor Mark Hamilton, and editor of the KPU student-run newspaper The Runner Alyssa Laube. Light refreshments will be served.
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, 4:30 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: KPU Surrey campus (12666 72 Ave., Surrey) room #128, Fir building
KEYNOTE: Kirk LaPointe, Business in Vancouver editor-in-chief
REGISTRATION: Please email freepress@kpu.ca to reserve your seat.
Watch the trailer.
To learn more, visit kdocsff.com.
Story by Tatiana Tomljanovic
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