Censorship

Direct and indirect suppression of speech, books, music and other materials considered morally, politically or otherwise objectionable.

3983 articles
ABC Chairman, Justin Milne, 25 August 2005 , TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty Images

Australia: Calls to secure independence of national broadcaster ABC

There are allegations of attempts by the ABC chairman to fire a journalist in response to political pressure.

Turkish writer Ragip Zarakolu takes part in a discussion at the Frankfurt Book Fair, in Frankfurt, Germany, 15 October 2008, JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images

Turkey: Charges against publisher Ragıp Zarakolu must be dropped

Arrested in October 2011 and charged with ‘aiding and abetting an illegal organisation’ in connection with a speech he made, Ragıp Zarakolu faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. His trial resumes 28 September.

(L-R) Director Wanuri Kahiu, actresses Samantha Mugatsia and Sheila Munyiva attend the photocall for 'Rafiki' during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, 9 May 2018, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Rafiki: Ban lifted on Kenyan film that challenges stereotypes at home and abroad

The High Court of Kenya has temporarily lifted the ban on Rafiki. Judge Wilfrida Okwany delivered the ruling on 21 September 2018, stating “I am not convinced that Kenya is such a weak society that its moral foundation will be shaken by seeing such a film.”

Kyrgyz Interior Ministry officers and servicemen take part in an anti-terrorist exercise near a penal colony in the village of Moldovanovka, some 40 km from the capital Bishkek, 29 February 2012, VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/Getty Images

Kyrgyzstan convicts hundreds for possession of ‘extremist’ material

People owning videos, pamphlets or books that have been banned using an over-broad definition of extremism face lengthy jail sentences – regardless of how the outlawed material was used.

Sauti Sol, a four-member Afro-fusion band from Nairobi, Kenya, performs at the SouthWest music festival in Austin, Texas, 14 March 2012, Kitra Cahana/ Getty Images

From musicians to media, from subtle to severe: suppression of free expression in Africa

A roundup of key free expression news in Africa, based on IFEX member reports.

This combo shows journalists Kyaw Soe Oo (L) and Wa Lone (R) being escorted by police after their sentencing by a court to jail in Yangon, Burma, 3 September 2018, YE AUNG THU/AFP/Getty Images

Burma: Reuters Journalists who exposed Rohingya massacre jailed for 7 years

Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were found guilty of breaching the Official Secrets Act. ARTICLE 19 says the ruling demonstrates the Myanmar government’s willingness to use the judiciary as a tool to silence those reporting on human rights violations against Rohingya civilians.

A pedestrian walks past a billboard advertising a local film in the suburb of Nugegoda in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 6 May 2007, SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP/Getty Images

Religious extremists and politicians undermine artistic freedom in Sri Lanka

Extremists and politicians targeted a novel, radio drama and stage play for alleged blasphemy.

A Hindu family, forced to flee their village after armed masked men swarmed their homes, stand in prayer near the shore of the Andaman Sea in Sittwe, Myanmar, 8 October 2017, STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images

Religious freedom declines in Southeast Asia

Five countries in Southeast Asia have been named “worst offenders of religious freedom”.

People listen to a speech by then Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf being broadcast on state-run Pakistan Television, in Karachi, 15 December 2007, ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistan’s new prime minister urged to safeguard media independence

Human rights groups asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure an end to attacks on independent media.

Directors of Russia Today (RT) Television are seen at the network's studios in Moscow, 8 June 2018, YURI KADOBNOV/AFP/Getty Images

Illiberal democracies: Awash in media without plurality

Don’t be misled: The large number of TV channels on offer in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine does not translate into pluralism of viewpoint.

An Egyptian protester streams a demonstration via Skype as people gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square, 20 December 2011, MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images

Egypt’s new cybercrime law legalizes Internet censorship

The “cybercrime law” that Egypt’s President Sisi signed on 18 August legalizes and reinforces the existing censorship and blocking of websites and criminalizes both those who operate sites and those who use them.

A man reads a newspaper early in the morning after his prayer at a temple on Nepali New Year Day, in Kathmandu, 14 April 2018, Sunil Pradhan/NurPhoto via Getty Images

New Nepali criminal code threatens press freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists says several provisions of Nepal’s new criminal code severely threaten freedom of the press, and is calling on Nepal’s government to repeal or amend them.

The owner of an internet cafe checks a computer, in the city of Adama, Ethiopia, 4 April 2018, SOLAN KOLLI/AFP/Getty Images

AFEX backs ACHPR condemnation of restrictive online regulations in East Africa

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) has issued a statement backing the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR)’s condemnation of the increased adoption of stringent laws regulating digital space.

YASIN AKGUL/AFP/Getty Images

İhraçların ötesinde: Barış akademisyenleri, açtıkları alternatif akademilerde başka bir eğitimi kurguluyor

Gazeteci Elif İnce, Derya Keskin, Ulaş Bayraktar ve Julia Strutz ile barış bildirisi imzacısı akademisyenlerin baskılara rağmen Türkiye’nin on şehrinde ve Almanya’da kurdukları akademileri konuştu.

Google China headquarters in Beijing, 14 January 2010, FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

Google urged to reject China’s censorship demands

The tech giant plans to return to China by reportedly launching a censored version of its search engine. Reporters Without Borders says this would deal a serious blow to the freedom to inform.

People protest the taking into custody of those who post political content on social media, at Samir Kassir Square in Beirut, Lebanon, 24 July 2018, Wassim Samih Seifeddine/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Lebanon ramps up interrogations of online activists

Lebanese security agencies are ramping up the interrogation and censorship of online activists and journalists.