Latest Censorship News

Alabama lawmakers advance expansion of 'Don't Say Gay' and ban Pride flags at schools

Apr. 23, 2024 20:12 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday advanced legislation to expand the state's ban on teacher-led discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in public school classrooms. The House of Representatives voted 74-25 for the bill, which now advances to the...

Minnesota and other Democratic-led states lead pushback on censorship. They're banning the book ban

Apr. 23, 2024 14:15 PM EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A movement to ban book bans is gaining steam in Minnesota and several other states, in contrast to the trend playing out in more conservative states where book challenges have soared to their highest levels in decades. The move to quash book bans is welcome...

With graduation near, colleges seek to balance safety and students' right to protest Gaza war

Apr. 23, 2024 13:26 PM EDT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — The University of Michigan is informing students of the rules for upcoming graduation ceremonies: Banners and flags are not allowed. Protests are OK but in designated areas away from the cap-and-gown festivities. The University of Southern California...

Elon Musk accuses Australia of censorship after court bans violent video

Apr. 23, 2024 00:21 AM EDT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Tech billionaire Elon Musk accused Australia of censorship after an Australian judge ruled that his social media platform X must block users worldwide from accessing video of a bishop being stabbed in a Sydney church. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese...

Conservative Brazilians laud Elon Musk at rally in support of ex-president Bolsonaro

Apr. 21, 2024 16:50 PM EDT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Conservative Brazilians heaped praise Sunday on Elon Musk at a rally in support of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, whose legal troubles are mounting in tandem with the billionaire entrepreneur's feud with the South American nation's Supreme Court. ...

US committee releases sealed Brazil court orders to Musk's X, shedding light on account suspensions

Apr. 18, 2024 20:25 PM EDT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A U.S. congressional committee released confidential Brazilian court orders to suspend accounts on the social media platform X, offering a glimpse into decisions that have spurred complaints of alleged censorship from the company and its billionaire owner Elon Musk. ...

Tunisian journalist sentenced to 6 months in prison for insulting an official

Apr. 18, 2024 09:31 AM EDT

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A judge in Tunisia sentenced a journalist and political commentator to six months in prison in the country's latest assault on members of the media who criticize the government. Mohamed Boughalleb, who had been charged with insulting a public official, was...

Georgia's parliament votes to approve so-called 'Russian law' targeting media in first reading

Apr. 17, 2024 21:04 PM EDT

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Georgia's parliament has voted in the first reading to approve a proposed law that would require media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. Thousands...

Citing safety, USC makes rare cancellation of speech by valedictorian who supported Palestinians

Apr. 16, 2024 20:38 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California canceled a commencement speech by its 2024 valedictorian who has publicly supported Palestinians, citing security concerns, a rare decision that was praised by several pro-Israel groups and lambasted by free speech advocates and the...

DeSantis tweaks Florida book challenge law, blames liberal activist who wanted Bible out of schools

Apr. 16, 2024 17:44 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Two years ago, Democrats repeatedly and forcefully warned Republicans and Gov. Ron DeSantis that a new law making it easier to challenge school books was so broadly worded that it would create havoc across the state. Now they can say, “I told you so." ...