Latest Censorship News

Hungary's 'sovereignty protection' office launches investigation into Transparency International

Jun. 25, 2024 16:03 PM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A Hungarian authority tasked with defending the nation's sovereignty against foreign influence has launched an investigation into the Hungarian branch of anti-corruption organization Transparency International. Transparency International Hungary said...

Top European rights court says Russia responsible for breaching rights in Crimea after 2014 takeover

Jun. 25, 2024 09:17 AM EDT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Europe's top human rights court ruled Tuesday that Russia was responsible for a string of human rights violations in Crimea since overrunning and later illegally annexing the Black Sea peninsula in 2014. The European Court of Human Rights said in a...

UN launches global principles to combat online hate and demands big tech take action now

Jun. 24, 2024 17:37 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations chief on Monday launched global principles to combat online hate and lies and demanded that big tech companies use their power to reduce the harm they are doing to people and societies around the world. Secretary-General António Guterres...

LGBTQ+ librarians grapple with attacks on books - and on themselves

Jun. 22, 2024 09:05 AM EDT

Idaho librarian June Meissner was closing up for the day at the downtown Boise Public Library when a man approached her asking for help. As an information services librarian, answering patrons' questions is part of Meissner’s day-to-day work, and serving the community is one of...

What we know about the fight between conspiracist Alex Jones and Sandy Hook families over his assets

Jun. 15, 2024 00:27 AM EDT

HOUSTON (AP) — Bombastic conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered to liquidate his personal assets as he owes $1.5 billion for his false claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which killed 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, was a hoax. ...

Myanmar's embattled military government cracks down on free flow of news by blocking VPNs

Jun. 14, 2024 16:00 PM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government has launched a major effort to block free communication on the Internet, shutting off access to virtual private networks, or VPNs, which can be used to circumvent blockages of banned websites and services. The attempt to restrict...

DeSantis appointees bury the hatchet with Disney by approving new development deal

Jun. 12, 2024 21:15 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointees on Wednesday gave final approval to an agreement that buries the hatchet between Disney and the governing district for Walt Disney World, which the Florida governor took over after the company two years ago publicly opposed a state law critics...

Donald Trump's lawyers press judge to lift gag order in wake of ex-president's felony conviction

Jun. 12, 2024 17:58 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s lawyers are amplifying their calls to end the gag order that bars the former president from commenting about witnesses, jurors and others tied to the Manhattan criminal trial that ended in his conviction last month for falsifying records to cover up a potential...

From smart glasses to a rainbow rodeo, some Father's Day gift ideas for all kinds of dads

Jun. 12, 2024 13:56 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Whether you go big, small or DIY, there are lots of ways to please dad on Father's Day. Homemade cards and drawings, and things made of clay or popsicle sticks, are evergreen options from little hands. So is gathering your top family photos for framing, or knitting...

Oklahoma Supreme Court rejects state education board's authority over public school libraries

Jun. 12, 2024 13:44 PM EDT

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) — Local school boards in Oklahoma will retain the right to determine what books are available in public school libraries after the state Supreme Court shut down efforts to shift that discretion to the state Board of Education. “The state Board...