Latest Censorship News

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." ...

Belgian police shut down a far-right conference as it rallies ahead of Europe's June elections

Apr. 16, 2024 14:59 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian police shut down a gathering of far-right politicians and supporters on Tuesday, citing concerns about public order, while attendees protested curbs on free speech and vowed to find another venue for the second day of their meeting. The annual National...

Singapore's outgoing prime minister will stay on as senior minister, his successor says

Apr. 16, 2024 07:21 AM EDT

SINGAPORE (AP) — Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will stay on in the government as senior minister after he steps down next month, his successor said Tuesday. Lee, 72, announced Monday that he will end his 20-year rule and hand over to his deputy Lawrence Wong on May 15....

Some fear University of Michigan proposed policy on protests could quell free speech efforts

Apr. 13, 2024 00:09 AM EDT

A University of Michigan proposal aimed at deterring disruptions on its Ann Arbor campus after anti-Israel protesters interrupted an honors convocation is sparking backlash from free speech advocates. Violations of the policy, which has yet to be implemented, could result in...

What to know about Elon Musk's 'free speech' feud with a Brazilian judge

Apr. 11, 2024 18:14 PM EDT

SAO PAULO (AP) — Headline-grabbing billionaire Elon Musk is clashing with a Supreme Court justice in Brazil over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation on X, the social media platform Musk bought when it was Twitter. Since his takeover, Musk has upended many of...

Jailed Vietnamese dissident Pham Doan Trang to be honored by PEN America

Apr. 11, 2024 08:07 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Imprisoned Vietnamese author-blogger-journalist Pham Doan Trang will be this year's recipient of PEN America's Barbey Freedom to Write Award, given by the literary and free expression organization to a “jailed writer of conscience.” Trang, 45, has written...

Town creates public art ordinance after free speech debate over doughnut mural

Apr. 10, 2024 13:47 PM EDT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire town's new ordinance that was pitched as “a path forward” for public artwork hasn't resolved a bakery owner's First Amendment dispute over a large pastry painting, and his lawyer predicts it will only lead to more litigation as town officials become...