A NEW Intellectual Freedom Committee created by CILIP to help champion the rights of people to think, read and speak freely is looking for members.

Chaired by Dr David McMenemy, the committee will be a crucial new tool in the fight to uphold freedom of expression in the information sphere. With threats of censorship on the rise and access to information increasingly contested, CILIP has moved to develop the committee to help protect rights and develop a robust set of guiding principles and practical advice for all those working in information and knowledge settings.

The new committee will be formed of eight members, working alongside Dr McMenemy, who urged anyone interested to get in touch. He said: “It is very exciting to now be at the point of recruiting members for this essential new committee. Intellectual Freedom is such an important democratic value and as one of CILIP’s key principles it is vital that we can provide a robust but inclusive approach to advocating for freedom of access to information and freedom of expression that we can all stand behind as a profession.

“Consider putting your name forward to serve on the committee to ensure we have the widest possible committee membership representing a diversity of experience from across the profession.  The work of the Intellectual Freedom Committee will be important and impactful for our members and for wider society, please consider being a part of it.”

The committee will take collective responsibility to deliver tangible, positive impacts on issues relating to intellectual freedom, beyond the remit of their own work, sector and experiences. Some of these issues are likely to be complex, contested and unclear, requiring sound judgement, a collaborative approach, and the ability to balance different viewpoints transparently and clearly.

Working closely with the CILIP Board and senior leaders, the Committee will help shape and lead an evidence-informed work programme to promote these values across the sector and beyond, ensuring every citizen is informed by a wide range of trustworthy information and empowered to use it as they wish.

CILIP Chief Executive Louis Coiffait-Gunn welcomed the latest round of recruitment for the committee, saying: “The CILIP Trustee Board’s ongoing commitment to intellectual freedom is clearly illustrated by the creation of this new Committee. With David’s expertise and inclusive approach, the Intellectual Freedom Committee will take evidence-informed actions to provide strategic leadership, practical support, and persuasive advocacy on this critical issue.

”In an era of AI-amplified disinformation and falling trust in many institutions, society needs strong, confident and trustworthy voices speaking up for everyone’s rights, including access to information and freedom of expression. With David at the helm, the new Committee will ensure these values remain central to our profession and visible in public life.”

Find out more about the roles and apply here.