Free Speech Dispatch
All Articles
Repression deepens in Hong Kong with Jimmy Lai’s guilty verdict and censorship over deadly Wang Fuk Court fire
Free Speech Dispatch
Hong Kong jails Jimmy Lai, UK prosecutors seek to reverse a free speech victory, and a new U.S. border policy could export self-censorship worldwide.
UK university censors human rights research on abuses in China
Free Speech Dispatch
China-related censorship ripples worldwide, from UK academia to NYC film screens — plus fresh crackdowns, bold resistance, and rare wins for free expression.
High-profile comedians paid handsomely to not offend Saudi royals at Riyadh comedy fest
Free Speech Dispatch
From Saudi censorship and UK arrests to China’s digital clampdown, free speech faces global pressure — and some unexpected twists.
Chinese officials force censorship of Thai gallery’s art exhibit about authoritarianism (proving the exhibit’s point)
Free Speech Dispatch
China censors Thai art show on authoritarianism, Hong Kong cites U.S. crackdowns to justify jailing Jimmy Lai, and T-shirts get people in trouble in Venezuela and Morocco
Turkish police arrested magazine staff over Muhammad cartoon, but it doesn’t actually depict the prophet
Free Speech Dispatch
Arrests over a Muhammad cartoon in Turkey, Glastonbury backlash, and online speech crackdowns from Russia to Brazil.
In Quran burning conviction, UK judge uses violence against defendant as evidence of his guilt
Free Speech Dispatch
UK judge cites violence against Quran-burning protester as proof of his guilt, Brazil sentences comedian to over eight years for telling jokes, and France targets porn.
Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap at the center of international firestorm
Free Speech Dispatch
Kneecap sparks global outrage, India's censorship surges, and blasphemy laws face fresh challenges in a tense month for free expression.
‘I hate freedom of opinion’ meme leads to sentencing in German court
Free Speech Dispatch
A meme lands a German editor in court, a U.S. academic faces trial in Thailand, and censorship crackdowns rage from Nigeria to Hong Kong.
Is it ‘hate speech’ to say Jesus needs a haircut?
Free Speech Dispatch
TikToker sentenced for joke about Jesus' hair, Iran uses facial recognition to silence women, and 2024 was the worst-ever for internet shutdowns
Quran burner assassinated in Sweden — and another arrested in the UK
Free Speech Dispatch
Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, known for his well-publicized and controversial public Quran burnings, was assassinated in Sweden.
