Latest Censorship News

PEN America cancels World Voices Festival amid criticism of its response to Israel-Hamas war

Apr. 26, 2024 16:48 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — PEN America has canceled its annual World Voices Festival, as the literary and free expression organization continues to face widespread unhappiness with its response to the Israel-Hamas war. Earlier this week, PEN called off its awards ceremony after nearly half of the finalists...

Burkina Faso suspends BBC and Voice of America after they covered a report on mass killings

Apr. 26, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Burkina Faso suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio stations for their coverage of a report by Human Rights Watch on a mass killing of civilians carried out by the country's armed forces. Burkina Faso's communication spokesperson, Tonssira Myrian Corine...

Bishop stabbed during Sydney church service backs X's legal case to share video of the attack

Apr. 25, 2024 06:23 AM EDT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A Sydney bishop who was stabbed repeatedly in an alleged extremist attack blamed on a teenager has backed X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s legal bid to overturn an Australian ban on sharing graphic video of the attack on social media. A live stream of the...

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...