Latest Censorship News
Prominent Algerian opposition figures blast 'authoritarian climate' ahead of presidential election
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Eleven prominent Algerian opposition figures wrote an open letter this week, denouncing “the authoritarian climate” surrounding the country’s upcoming presidential election and calling for a broad democratic transition. Under the rule of...
Moroccan ex-minister who defended government critics sentenced to five years
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Mohamed Ziane, an ex-Moroccan minister of human rights, was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday in a corruption case that his attorney described as retribution for outspokenness and work defending political prisoners. An appeals court in Rabat handed...
UN panel calls on Belarus to release Nobel Peace laureate from prison
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A United Nations panel of human rights experts called on Belarus to release the Nobel Peace Prize-winning founder of the country's most respected rights group, who has been behind bars for three years. Ales Bialiatski's imprisonment came amid a widespread...
University of California regents ban political statements on university online homepages
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The University of California Board of Regents voted Thursday to ban employees from posting political statements on the homepages of university websites, saying such comments could be interpreted as the university system's official view. Political statements...
A US appeals court will review its prior order keeping banned books on shelves in a Texas county
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court in New Orleans is taking another look at its own order requiring a Texas county to keep eight books on public library shelves that deal with subjects including sex, gender identity and racism. Llano County officials had removed 17 books...
'Freedom!' chants at Venezuelan opposition rallies ahead of election show depth of needs and fear
BARINAS, Venezuela (AP) — The chant is concise, but it could not be more meaningful for millions of Venezuelans in 2024: “Freedom!” Members of the country's political opposition shout it with tears in their eyes, or red angry faces, or with hopeful ear-to-ear smiles. They shout...
BET says 'audio malfunction' caused heavy censorship of Usher's speech at the 2024 BET Awards
Usher's acceptance speech of the BET Awards' lifetime achievement award was heartfelt, occasionally profane and lengthy — and few people got to hear it. The 13-minute speech was largely censored by the network, leaving viewers at home curious to know what Usher said. A BET...
The Supreme Court casts doubt on Florida and Texas laws to regulate social media platforms
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday kept on hold efforts by Texas and Florida to limit how Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users in a ruling that strongly defended the platforms' free speech rights. Writing...
Groups oppose veto of bill to limit governor’s power to cut off electronic media in emergencies
A local media watchdog, a TV and radio trade organization and a nonprofit that promotes government transparency are each expressing serious concerns with one of the bills Hawaii’s governor has threatened to veto. House Bill 2581, currently awaiting action by Gov. Josh Green, would...
2 Algerian journalists arrested for publishing video showing businesswomen protesting
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algerian authorities arrested two journalists for publishing a video showing businesswomen protesting how they were treated at a government-sponsored event. Journalists in Algeria have faced mounting repression since President Abdelmadjid Tebboune came to...
