IS IT OKAY TO SAY THAT? FREEDOM OF SPEECH, ITS LIMITS, AND THE LAW—A CONVERSATION WITH THORSTEN FELDMANN

The Forum Recht Foundation invites you to a discussion titled „Can You Say That? Freedom of Speech, Its Limits, and the Law“ on May 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Our guest is Thorsten Feldmann, an attorney and specialist in copyright and media law.

Karlsruhe, May 6, 2025. Between freedom of speech and personal rights, between the public interest and protection against fake news—issues surrounding freedom of the press and freedom of expression are more relevant than ever. As debates on social media intensify and extreme positions gain traction, media professionals, activists, and even private citizens are increasingly confronted with cease-and-desist orders or accusations of hate speech. How much freedom of expression is allowed? Where does freedom of the press end? And who sets the limits?

The guest on „Let’s Talk About Law“ at the Forum Recht Foundation on May 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. is attorney Thorsten Feldmann. The attorney specializing in copyright and media law is a partner at JBB Rechtsanwält:innen, one of the leading law firms in the field of media and freedom of expression law. Among other cases, he represented the investigative journalism platform Correctiv in 2024 following its reporting on the secret meeting in Potsdam attended by participants from the far-right spectrum. Together with Marie-Elisabeth Miersch In a discussion organized by the Forum Recht Foundation, Feldmann talks about the challenges and pitfalls of public communication.

Challenges to the Right to Free Speech
The event examines current issues: What are the legal limits on the expression of opinions in public—including online? How does the law protect against misinformation and defamatory criticism—and where are the free press at risk of restrictions? When does investigative journalism cross the line into defamation? And which new developments in media law are particularly contentious right now?
Whether it’s injunctive relief cases against investigative journalism, celebrities fighting against unflattering coverage, or the role of platforms like X and TikTok in dealing with problematic content—press freedom and freedom of expression are at the center of social debates. The foundation cordially invites the audience to participate in the discussion by asking questions.

Let's Talk About Law
This year, the Forum Recht Foundation is hosting a regular series of discussions titled „Let’s Talk About Recht“ in Leipzig and Karlsruhe. Each event features guests from various fields of law who discuss their day-to-day work and share their perspectives on a current legal topic—ranging from labor law and tenancy law to freedom of speech.

The discussion will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Stiftung Forum Recht in Karlsruhe (Karlstraße 45A). Admission is free.