X-Index, a UK-based information platform aiming to highlight freedom of expression-related issues will hold a major conference on 29 January to tackle threats to the artistic field. 

Themed 'Taking the Offensive,' the conference will look into major censorship movements and how they affect the social, political and legal challenges to artistic freedom of expression. It will also look into the increasingly worrying concept of self-censorship in contemporary culture.

According to the organisers, the key debates of one-day conference will ask "How the cultural sector balances artists’ rights with the expectations of funders, public authorities and public opinion and how to defend the boundaries of free expression across the arts in the UK, on the international stage and online. The conference will move from principle to practice to debate the benefits of adopting a series of operational guidelines in support of artists rights."

The consecutive speakers will discuss topics such as: Who controls artistic freedom of expression in 2013; self-censorship; sponsorship, philanthropy and feedom of expression; freedom of expression on the international stage; among others.

Programme:
Tuesday 29 January 2013, 9am – 6pm
Southbank Centre, London
X-Index website