What's happened
Salman Rushdie speaks out against limitations on writers and receives German book prize
Why it matters
Salman Rushdie's defense of freedom of expression and his resilience in the face of threats and violence are significant in the current climate of censorship and attacks on artistic freedom.
What the papers say
The Guardian emphasizes Rushdie's stance against limitations on writers and his concerns about the impact on the art of the novel, while The Independent focuses on his receipt of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade and his resolve in continuing to write despite enduring threats and violence. The Times highlights Rushdie's worries about young writers feeling uncertain about what they are allowed to write about and his belief that everyone can write about everything.
How we got here
Salman Rushdie has been a target of threats and violence for decades, culminating in a knife attack in 2022. Despite this, he continues to write and speak out for freedom of expression.
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