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Toni Morrison Presses For Writers' Freedoms

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May 31, 2009

After complaints that he used inappropriate language against the Prophet Mohammed, his wives and the Koran in his novel, The Daughters of Allah, the Turkish writer Nedim Gursel was charged with inciting religious hatred. His trial resumes in late June, and, if convicted, he will face up to a year in prison.

Gursel is just one of many authors around the world whose right to free expression is being challenged. The human rights organization PEN is dedicated to helping such writers. Some of the authors who belong to the group have written essays on the power of the word, published in a new collection called Burn This Book, edited by Nobel prize-winning writer, Toni Morrison.

Host Liane Hansen speaks with Morrison about the book and censorship.

 
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