Culture news Viral backfire: Melania Trump called out after Jimmy Kimmel joke The First Lady posted that “people like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate", following a joke the talkshow host made three days before the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Now, her comments have backfired online... 28/04/2026
USA Trump demands sacking of TV host Kimmel for 'despicable' joke First Lady Melania Trump lalso ashed out at Kimmel, even though the joke in question had been made in a monologue days before the shooting incident in Washington on Saturday. 27/04/2026
Culture news War, satire & resistance: Peabody Awards 2026 winners revealed From 'Adolescence' and 'Pluribus' to Gaza war reporting, the 2026 Peabody winners highlight storytelling that prioritises impact over ratings, spanning entertainment, documentary and public service. 24/04/2026
Culture news Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja arrested at Palestine Action protest Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja was among 500 people arrested at Palestine Action protest in London this weekend. The celebrated trip-hop musician said he wanted to attend the protest despite the consequences a potential arrest could have on his career and touring. 13/04/2026
Culture news Golden Bear winner warns of possible German government 'censorship' İlker Çatak, who won this year's top prize at the Berlin Film Festival for this political drama 'Yellow Letters', warns of the consequences of adopting a potential code of conduct for the Berlinale. "We would have to call it what it is: censorship.” 06/03/2026
Russia Telegram might be fully blocked in Russia. Question is, when? Russian authorities are denying media reports of plans to fully block Telegram from 1 April, noting that no decisions have been made on the matter yet. For many Russians, this sounds like an indirect confirmation of further digital isolation and stricter Internet censorship. 19/02/2026
Culture news Oscar-nominated screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian arrested in Iran Mehdi Mahmoudian worked on the script of Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just An Accident', which won last year's Palme d'Or and is nominated for Best Screenplay and Best International Feature at this year’s Oscars. 03/02/2026
The Cube Are Romanians really protesting against an 'anti–free speech' law? Thousands of people took to the streets of Bucharest last week to protest against a law that they say threatens freedom of expression in Romania. However, an investigation by The Cube suggests that the legislation is intended to combat extremist activity. 21/01/2026
No Comment Thousands protest in Lithuania against changes to public broadcaster law Around 10,000 people protested outside Lithuania's parliament against changes to the public broadcaster's law, fearing it threatens free speech and LRT's independence. 17/12/2025
Culture news Director Jafar Panahi sentenced to prison by Iran Revolutionary Court Iran has sentenced acclaimed filmmaker and Cannes Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi to one year in prison and imposed a travel ban for allegedly engaging in “propaganda activities” against the state. The verdict, delivered in absentia, was confirmed by his lawyer Mostafa Nili. 02/12/2025
Culture news ‘The IT Crowd’ creator cleared of harassing transgender activist The IT Crowd and Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been cleared of harassment against a trans activist but guilty of criminal damage to their phone. 25/11/2025
Russia Russian court extends jail time of teenage singer over anti-war songs Russian authorities have ramped up their crackdown on dissent and free speech since the Kremlin sent troops on an all-out invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. 11/11/2025
Culture news Human Rights Watch reject donations from Saudi festival comedians The two-week entertainment event has been criticised due to the Saudi government's alleged human rights abuses. Several comedians who attended have offered to donate part of their performance fees from the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Here's everything you need to know. 15/10/2025
Culture news Why has Jane Fonda relaunched this McCarthy-era free speech committee? Jane Fonda has relaunched the Committee for the First Amendment, which was founded by her father Henry Fonda in the late 1940s, in order to protect free speech from government censorship. This comes in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel's suspension under pressure from the Trump administration. 02/10/2025
Culture news Trump’s FCC Chair to testify to Senate after Jimmy Kimmel suspension FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who appeared to pressure broadcasters to take Jimmy Kimmel’s show off air, is set to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee next month. His perceived actions have been criticised by both sides of the political aisle. 02/10/2025
Culture news Trump's plans backfire: Jimmy Kimmel's return breaks viewership record Jimmy Kimmel Live! has tripled its average ratings - despite about a quarter of ABC stations in the US not airing the show's return. 25/09/2025