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Derek Fielding Memorial Lecture 2026 - Peter Greste on why good journalism is under more pressure than ever before, and why it has never been more important.

Don't Miss Peter Greste — Live on 28 May 2026 | 6:00 PM | Available via Livestream | Presented by Queensland Council for Civil Liberties.



Peter Greste is one of the most compelling voices on civil liberties and press freedom in the world today. A Peabody Award-winning journalist who reported for Reuters, CNN, the BBC, and Al Jazeera across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, Greste's commitment to truth came at an enormous personal cost — he was arrested in Cairo in December 2013 and sentenced to seven years in prison on charges widely condemned internationally as politically motivated. His 400 days of imprisonment, his subsequent deportation, and his ongoing advocacy have made him a defining figure in the global fight for freedom of expression. He is currently Professor of Journalism and Communications at Macquarie University and Executive Director of the Alliance for Journalists' Freedom, and was awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal in 2015.

On the evening of 28 May 2026, Peter Greste will join us to speak on “Why good journalism is under more pressure than ever before, and with the world in crisis, why it has never been more important.” — drawing on his extraordinary firsthand experience of what happens when civil liberties are eroded and the rights of individuals are subordinated to the interests of the state. 

Whether you can join us in person or tune in via our free livestream, this is a rare opportunity to hear from a man who has not only written and spoken about these issues, but lived them. Secure your place now — this event is not to be missed.