What the Salman Rushdie trial means for free speech

What the Salman Rushdie trial means for free speech

Author: The Times February 20, 2025 Duration: 30:59

The British-Indian novelist Sir Salman Rushdie has faced his alleged attacker in court, after he was stabbed multiple times in 2022 during a public lecture in New York state. Hadi Matar, accused of assault and attempted murder, denies the charges. The author is no stranger to threats: in 1989, Iran's Supreme Leader called for his death, after deeming his novel The Satanic Verses blasphemous. Will this attack on Rushdie, a symbol of free speech himself, threaten freedom of expression?


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

  • Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.
  • Robbie Millen, Literary Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times. 

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Further reading: Salman Rushdie trial: I was dying, author says as he recounts attack

Clips: BBC News, WION, CNN, The Daily Show, Cream Cakes, American Express, CBC News, University of Vermont.

Photo: Getty Images. 

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
India: The next global superpower? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:22
India will soon surpass China as the most populous country in the world. As China’s population slumps, could India’s population rise spell a new chapter in the country’s economic growth, and could it help make it a globa…
Eurovision 2023: A very political song contest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:59
The UK is holding this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine which won last year but can’t fulfil its hosting duties because of the war. So what can we expect? What role is Eurovision playing in the war eff…
Turkey’s knife-edge election: Is Erdogan’s time up? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:43
As polling suggests the public are losing faith in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s authoritarian rule, what does this weekend’s election mean for Turkey - and the wider world? This podcast was brought to you thanks to…
An MI6 agent's journey from spy to killer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:35
A British man was recruited by MI5 and MI6 to infiltrate al-Qaeda training camps – but then brought the horror back home.This episode contains descriptions of strong violence and might not be suitable for all listeners.…
Qatargate: The inside story of the big Brussels bung [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
It’s part thriller, part farce, starring a glamorous Greek MEP, an Italian toyboy and bundles of euros stuffed in suitcases and hidden under beds. So did Qatar buy its way into the European parliament? This podcast was…
Planet Hope: Navigating the Great Spine of Africa with Steve Boyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:09
This is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.The balance between wilderness areas…
How to crown a King, 2023-style [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
Tomorrow, Charles will be crowned King at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony marked with hundreds of years of tradition. Just how will the coronation represent our more modern country, and what might we expect from his reig…
Poison (Pt 4) - UPDATE: Kenneth Law is arrested [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:03
Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. On Tuesday night, police in Canada announced the arrest and charge of a 57-year-old man on two counts of aiding or counselling suicide.In this update to our three…