PM Mahlab asserts expression freedom at meeting with cinema figures

 Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab asserted on Saturday theimportance of the role played by cinema in spreading cultural awareness.Addressing a meeting on creation and expression freedom, Mahlab said social andintellectual reform is needed along with economic and political reform.He noted that a meeting had been held to address obstacles that hinder the cinemaindustry in the country.Proposals for overcoming these impediments were discussed at the meeting, he saidThe premier stressed that there are no restrictions on expression freedom.But he said that "there is difference between creation and assault on values."Today's meeting was attended by the culture minister and host of actors and artists.They agreed on forming a panel to restructure the censorship body.The came days after a decision by the premier to stop screening a controversialmovie.