Tech News Cyber gulag: How Russia tracks, censors, and controls its citizens Going online in Russia can be frustrating, complicated, and even dangerous. 05/08/2025
Culture news Smithsonian denies White House pressure over impeachment display The museum says an “updated” display covering all US impeachments will be installed soon – amid growing criticism it’s erasing history to appease Donald Trump. 04/08/2025
Cinema Why is this children’s classic Britain’s most complained about film? Supercalifragilisticexpialido-WHAT?? How did the 1964 classic 'Mary Poppins' become the most complained about film of 2024 in the UK? 28/07/2025
Culture news Massive Attack announce alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza The band announced a "movement" of artists who have spoken out over the Israel-Palestine war and have faced attempts of censorship. "We write as artists who’ve chose to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there & the role of the UK Government in facilitating it.” 18/07/2025
Culture news Superman kissing scenes cut by India's censor board sparks backlash Critics have slammed the move as hypocritical, pointing out that the board routinely allows graphic violence and misogyny in Indian films while censoring consensual intimacy in Hollywood ones. 15/07/2025
Culture news Algerian court upholds writer Boualem Sansal’s 5-year prison sentence The novelist’s case has united European lawmakers, who have demanded Sansal's release. His case has raised alarm over freedom of expression in Algeria, and his supporters now hope military-backed President Abdelmadjid Tebboune will grant a pardon on Saturday, when Algeria marks Independence Day. 01/07/2025
Culture news Cancelled ‘Beauty and the Beast’ book 'finally' released in France The modern retelling of the classic fairytale was commissioned and then cancelled by the French Ministry of Education. Artists and politicians expressed support for the book's release. 18/06/2025
Art What are the 20 most controversial album covers of all time? Don’t judge an album by its cover... Easier said than done for some. Following the controversy surrounding the album image for Sabrina Carpenter’s new album, we look at the most controversial album artworks which landed the artists in hot water with the censors. And, in some cases, the taste police. 18/06/2025
Culture news Iran summons French diplomat over praise of Palme d'Or-winning film Iran's Palme d'Or-winning director Jafar Panahi was cheered as he arrived home after his Cannes win. However, the national press and political reaction has been more muted. Iran has also summoned a French diplomat over praise of 'It Was Just An Accident'. 27/05/2025
Culture news ‘My Favourite Cake’ directors given suspended prison sentence in Iran ‘My Favourite Cake’ directors Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam receive 14-month suspended prison sentences in Iran. The film’s heroine is seen without a headscarf, and the filmmakers were accused of ‘disturbing public opinion’. 14/04/2025
Culture news Why is this song by Spice Girls being censored by UK radio stations? Slam it to the left / If you're havin' a good time / Shake it to the right / If ya know that you feel... well not so fine now, as the song ‘Spice Up Your Life’ is being censored. Here’s why. 29/03/2025
Culture news French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal given five year prison sentence Sansal was arrested in November 2024 at Algiers airport. French President Macron has called on Algeria to release the writer. 28/03/2025
Culture news French Education Ministry cancels 'inappropriate' version of fairytale The new adaptation of the fairytale had been commissioned for a campaign designed to give 10-year-old pupils a book to read over the summer. 20/03/2025
Art Greek lawmaker arrested for attacking ‘offensive’ paintings in Athens Nikolaos Papadopoulos, of the small right-wing, ultra-religious Niki party, attacked the paintings in The National Gallery - Alexandros Soutsos Museum. The exhibition includes works that caricature religious icons and themes. 11/03/2025
Culture news Filmmakers support 'My Favourite Cake' directors before trial in Iran Mohammad Rasoulof, Pedro Almodóvar, Juliette Binoche and other members of the filmmaking community sign a petition supporting ‘My Favourite Cake’ directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha as ‘propaganda’ trial starts in Iran. 28/02/2025
Europeans' Stories Child protection or censorship? The legal battle between the Court of Justice of the EU and Hungary Necessary for some, discriminatory for others, Hungary's so-called “child protection law” has been the subject of a hearing at the Court of Justice of the European Union. Whatever its nature, the ruling could further determine the already tense relationship between Hungary and its EU partners. 26/02/2025
Culture news UK's Royal Society of Literature tackles controversy and leadership The UK's Royal Society of Literature is trying to turn over a controversial in its history following departures and disputes over free speech, censorship, leadership changes and the results of a significant governance review. 29/01/2025
Culture news Algeria blasts EU for condemning arrest of author Boualem Sansal Algerian lawmakers accused the European Parliament of political inference. They have also cast doubt on whether their motivations had to do with French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal's well-being or “harming the image of Algeria.” 29/01/2025
China At least 35 dead as man ploughs car into crowd in southern China The attack occurred on the eve of the city’s high-profile aviation exhibition, leading to tight censorship of information within China. Videos of the incident, however, surfaced on social media. 13/11/2024
Cinema Festival cancelled in Turkey over ban of LGBTQ+ themed film 'Queer' Mubi, the global streaming platform, production company and film distributor, has cancelled its Turkey film festival over local censorship of the film ‘Queer’. The company said it is taking a stand for “protecting freedom of expression.” 08/11/2024