AIDA Nederland

Freemuse receives international award

Tunisia – 18 October 2009.

The International Music Council (IMC) has awarded Freemuse the IMC Inaugural Musical Rights Award for its "courageous global programme advocating freedom of musical expression for creators and performers of music."
The award was presented on 18 October 2009 during the '3rd IMC World Forum on Music' which is currently taking place in Tunisia. It was presented to Freemuse by IMC President Dr. Richard Letts. In his speech, Dr. Letts praised the "unique programme" of Freemuse and said that "defence of the right to freedom of expression in music is the first of the five musical rights at the base of IMC activities."
The International Music Council (IMC) is a global network of expert organisations and individuals working in the field of music. Founded in 1949 by UNESCO, the International Music Council is mandated to promote musical diversity and support cultural rights for all.
Freemuse has existed for 10 years and the IMC Award is the second international award presented to the organisation, which in 2003 received the Womex Award.
"This is a wonderful recognition of Freemuse," says Marie Korpe, Executive Director of Freemuse.
"Whereas it is a well known fact that media and literature is censored and journalists are persecuted in several countries, it is less acknowledged how widespread censorship of music and musicians is in many countries today."

More information: www.imc-cim.org, www.freemuse.org