Author Salman Rushdie has warned that freedom of speech is facing growing threats around the world, saying the right to express dissenting views is under increasing pressure even in
countries with long-established democratic traditions.
Speaking in London after receiving the Liberatum Cultural Honour at a ceremony dedicated to the theme of Freedom of Expression, the Indian-born British-American novelist said recent developments had left him deeply concerned.
Rushdie, 79, told Reuters that he had never expected to witness what he described as an attack on free expression in the United States, despite constitutional protections under the First Amendment.
He argued that pressure on journalists, writers, comedians, artists and academics reflected a broader challenge to free speech. While acknowledging attempts to ban books and restrict public debate, he said there had also been determined resistance, pointing to successful campaigns against book bans in libraries.
The acclaimed novelist said the struggle extended beyond the United States. Referring to India, where he was born, Rushdie said freedom of expression was also under significant strain.
He said many people had assumed the battle for free speech had already been won, but recent events suggested those freedoms could not be taken for granted and must continue to be defended.
Rushdie's own life has become closely associated with the fight for artistic freedom. Since the publication of his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses, he has lived under the shadow of death threats after the book was condemned as blasphemous by Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who issued a fatwa calling for his killing. The novel was subsequently banned in several countries.
In August 2022, Rushdie survived a knife attack while preparing to speak at a literary event in New York. The assault left him blind in one eye and with lasting injuries to one of his hands.
Reflecting on his recovery, the Booker Prize-winning author said he had reached the point where he was "as mended" as he was likely to be. He added that the injuries had not prevented him from continuing to write, noting that he had published three books since the attack and was already working on another project, although it remains in its early stages.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Rushdie has written 23 books, including the Booker Prize-winning Midnight's Children, The Moor's Last Sigh and Shalimar the Clown. His work has earned international acclaim for its blend of history, politics and magical realism.
The Liberatum Cultural Honour recognises artists whose work has made a significant contribution to culture and international understanding. Previous recipients include the late architect Zaha Hadid and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
Away from literature, Rushdie also spoke about his enthusiasm for football, saying he had closely followed the World Cup and believed England were among the strongest teams remaining in the tournament. He said the prospect of a quarter-final featuring England captain Harry Kane against Norway's Erling Haaland promised an entertaining contest. Photo by Christoph Kockelmann, Wikimedia commons.
