The Free Press Society
A Danish advocacy organization focused on freedom of expression and criticism of Islam, associated with the European counter-jihad movement.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Danish Free Press Society, known in Danish as Trykkefrihedsselskabet, is an advocacy organization founded in Denmark in 2004 around the principle of broad freedom of expression. Its public activity has particularly emphasized the right to publish material that challenges Islam, Islamic institutions, and prevailing approaches to religious and cultural sensitivity. Because of this focus, the organization has frequently been described as part of, or closely associated with, the wider European counter-jihad movement, although it presents its central mission in terms of defending freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The organization emerged after Danish PEN objected to admitting Lars Hedegaard as a member because of his writings on Islam. Hedegaard became the society's original leading figure, working with a founding group that included historian David Gress, philosopher Kai Sørlander, politician and clergyman Søren Krarup, and politician Jesper Langballe. The society was established during a period of intense Danish debate over censorship, blasphemy, immigration, Islam, and the limits of public criticism. Its creation gave supporters of an expansive interpretation of free expression an organization through which to publish, organize events, and advocate publicly. The society's activities have included publishing, awards, public debate, and support for controversial speech. It created the Sappho online magazine, which was edited by Helle Merete Brix and Katrine Winkel Holm. It also operates or has operated Trykkefrihedsselskabets Bibliotek, a publishing initiative focused on research and criticism of Islam. In 2009, the society reprinted the Muhammad cartoon drawn by Kurt Westergaard, placing itself directly in the continuing international controversy over the cartoons first published by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in 2005. A central institution of the organization is the Sappho Award, presented annually to individuals recognized by the society for contributions to freedom of expression or related causes. Recipients have included Mark Steyn, Thilo Sarrazin, Ezra Levant, Roger Scruton, Olga Romanova, and Tommy Robinson. The award has helped the society build connections with writers, activists, and political commentators outside Denmark while also reinforcing its reputation as a forum for strongly critical views of Islam and multicultural policy. The organization has experienced leadership and reputational controversy. Søren Pind and Naser Khader, who had served on its advisory board, left in 2009 after controversial comments about Muslims by chairman Lars Hedegaard. In 2013, Hedegaard was subjected to an assassination attempt. Katrine Winkel Holm became chairman in 2014, and Aia Fog assumed the chair in 2018. The society also expanded its activities internationally through the International Free Press Society in 2009. The organization is not a conventional consumer brand or commercial company. Its principal offerings are advocacy, publications, public events, awards, and ideological networking rather than physical products or commercial services. Public information supplied for this entry does not establish a current membership figure, although the society was reported to have approximately 800 members in 2010. Its present level of activity, finances, governance structure, and current office location are not sufficiently documented in the supplied reference material.
History
The Danish Free Press Society was founded in Denmark in 2004 by Lars Hedegaard, David Gress, Kai Sørlander, Søren Krarup, and Jesper Langballe. Its immediate background was a dispute involving Danish PEN, which objected to admitting Hedegaard because of his writings on Islam. The new organization was created as an alternative forum for people who believed that freedom of expression should protect strong criticism of religion, including criticism that could be viewed as offensive or provocative. From its beginning, the society combined advocacy with publishing and public debate. Its stated emphasis was freedom of expression, but its most distinctive subject was criticism of Islam and opposition to what it regarded as self-censorship or excessive accommodation of religious sensitivities. This focus led commentators to associate it with the broader European counter-jihad movement. The organization also developed an international dimension, with the International Free Press Society established in 2009. The society's publishing activity included the Sappho online magazine, edited by Helle Merete Brix and Katrine Winkel Holm. It also maintained Trykkefrihedsselskabets Bibliotek, a publishing house or library-oriented publishing initiative concentrating on research and criticism of Islam. These projects gave the organization a continuing editorial and intellectual role beyond individual campaigns or public statements. The 2005 publication of Muhammad cartoons by Jyllands-Posten became a defining issue in Danish and international debates over free speech. In 2009, the Danish Free Press Society reprinted the cartoon drawn by Kurt Westergaard. The act demonstrated the organization's willingness to defend the publication of material that had generated intense controversy and threats, and it placed the society within the continuing political and cultural aftermath of the cartoon crisis. The organization has also used awards to advance its public profile. It presents the Sappho Award annually to figures associated with freedom of expression or related political causes. Reported recipients include Mark Steyn, Thilo Sarrazin, Ezra Levant, Roger Scruton, Olga Romanova, and Tommy Robinson. The award program has connected the Danish group with international writers, activists, and commentators whose work often addresses immigration, Islam, multiculturalism, or restrictions on controversial speech. Leadership changes have been shaped by controversy and security concerns. Søren Pind and Naser Khader, who had been members of the advisory board, departed in 2009 following controversial comments about Muslims by Lars Hedegaard. Hedegaard was later the target of an assassination attempt. Katrine Winkel Holm became chairman in 2014, and Aia Fog became chairman in 2018. The available reference material does not provide a later leadership transition, detailed financial statements, or a reliable current membership count. It records that the organization had about 800 members in 2010. The society is therefore best understood as a Danish advocacy, publishing, and event organization rather than a commercial product brand.
- 2018
Aia Fog becomes chairman
[1]Aia Fog assumed the organization's chairmanship.
- 2014
Katrine Winkel Holm becomes chairman
[1]Winkel Holm took over the chairmanship after Lars Hedegaard was subjected to an assassination attempt.
- 2009
International expansion
[1]The International Free Press Society was established as an international extension of the organization's activities.
- 2009
Muhammad cartoon reprinted
[1]The society reprinted Kurt Westergaard's Muhammad cartoon as an expression of its free-speech position.
- 2004
Organization founded
[1]Lars Hedegaard, David Gress, Kai Sørlander, Søren Krarup, and Jesper Langballe founded the Danish Free Press Society after a dispute with Danish PEN over Hedegaard's writings on Islam.
Products and positioning
An advocacy and publishing organization positioned around expansive freedom of expression, opposition to speech restrictions, and public criticism of Islam and multicultural policy. It is commonly characterized by outside observers as part of the counter-jihad movement.
Award program
Sappho Award
The Sappho Award is the organization's annual recognition program for people associated with freedom of expression and related causes. Reported recipients include Mark Steyn, Thilo Sarrazin, Ezra Levant, Roger Scruton, Olga Romanova, and Tommy Robinson. The award functions as both an honor and a means of connecting the Danish society with international figures involved in debates over Islam, immigration, multiculturalism, and speech restrictions.
Online magazine
Sappho
Sappho was an online magazine associated with the Danish Free Press Society. It provided a publication platform for essays, commentary, and debate related to freedom of expression, Islam, religion, immigration, and cultural politics. Helle Merete Brix and Katrine Winkel Holm are identified as editors in the available reference material.
Publishing program
Trykkefrihedsselskabets Bibliotek
Trykkefrihedsselskabets Bibliotek is the society's publishing house or library-oriented publishing initiative. Its stated focus is research and criticism of Islam. It extends the organization's role from advocacy and events into the production and dissemination of books and other research-oriented material.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009Muhammad cartoon reprint
Denmark
The society reprinted Kurt Westergaard's Muhammad cartoon in support of the principle that controversial religious imagery could be published under freedom-of-expression protections.
Outcome. The reprint reinforced the society's public identity as a defender of unrestricted speech and connected it to the continuing international controversy surrounding the Danish cartoon crisis.
Brand decisions
2009
Decision to reprint Westergaard's Muhammad cartoonOtherBackground
The decision followed the continuing international debate over the Muhammad cartoons originally published by Jyllands-Posten and the limits of religious criticism.
Action taken
The society republished the cartoon drawn by Kurt Westergaard.
Aftermath
The action became a prominent example of the organization's commitment to publishing controversial material and its opposition to speech restrictions based on religious offense.
2009
Creation of an international extensionStrategyBackground
The society sought to extend its free-expression advocacy beyond Denmark and participate in wider international debates.
Action taken
The International Free Press Society was established.
Aftermath
The organization acquired an international network and was increasingly discussed alongside the wider European counter-jihad movement.
Recent events
- 2018
Aia Fog becomes chairman[1]
Leadership change
Aia Fog assumed the chairmanship of the Danish Free Press Society.
- 2014
Leadership changes after attack on Lars Hedegaard[1]
Leadership change
Katrine Winkel Holm became chairman after Lars Hedegaard was subjected to an assassination attempt.
- 2009
Advisory board departures[1]
Leadership change · Other
Venstre politician Søren Pind and Conservative politician Naser Khader left the society's advisory board after controversial comments about Muslims by chairman Lars Hedegaard.
- 2009
Reprinting of the Westergaard Muhammad cartoon[1]
Campaign
The organization reprinted Kurt Westergaard's Muhammad cartoon, reaffirming its position that controversial religious imagery should remain protected by freedom of expression.
- 2009
International Free Press Society expansion[1]
Other
The organization's activities were extended internationally through the International Free Press Society.
- 2004
The society is founded in Denmark[1]
Other
The Danish Free Press Society was established by Lars Hedegaard, David Gress, Kai Sørlander, Søren Krarup, and Jesper Langballe after Danish PEN objected to admitting Hedegaard because of his writings on Islam.
Sources2 sources
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