Persona Non Grata: The Death of Free Speech in the Internet Age

(Paperback)

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Description

In February 2013, Tom Flanagan, acclaimed academic, University of Calgary professor, and former advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, made comments surrounding the issue of viewing child pornography that were Tweeted from the event he was speaking at and broadcast worldwide. In the time it took to drive back to his home in Calgary, Flanagan's career and reputation were virtually in tatters. This book is the author's side of the story, about what he endured during what he calls The Incident', as well as a passionate and convincing defence of free speech.

Reviews

"A very compelling case about the insidious impact of social media and new technology on public debate, academic freedom and freedom of speech." Toronto Star

"[This is] a settling of scores, a polemic about intellectual freedom, and a firsthand account from the pyre at a public burning. As a work of personal journalism, the book is compelling, even terrifying." Globe and Mail

[Persona Non Grata raises] an important question about the Internet as a venue for conducting the conversations we need to have. Could it be that the Web's global reach, as well as the elaborate and sophisticated forms of social media that come with it, actually stifles freedom of expression rather than promotes it" The Walrus

Author Bio

Educated at Notre Dame and Duke universities, TOM FLANAGAN has taught political science at the University of Calgary since 1968. He is the Donner Prize-winning author of numerous books, especially on aboriginal rights and history, and on political parties and campaigning. He has also managed campaigns and advised leaders of conservative political parties. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.