Censorship

Books touching on race and LGBTQ+ topics remain the most likely targets of bans or attempted bans at public schools and libraries around the country, according to the American Library Association.

Michael Connelly, Nikki Grimes, Judy Blume and other authors unite against book bans

8:01am October 04, 2023

by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

During what the ALA is calling Banned Books week, more than a dozen high-profile authors are taking a stand against censorship. Author Michael Connelly alone has donated $1 million to the cause.

Spring Woods High School in Houston, Texas, is one of the schools that put on a production of The Addams Family.

These were the most frequently performed plays and musicals in high schools this year

7:01am June 05, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

The Addams Family, Clue and Frozen JR were among the most popular shows, according to a new survey. But the report also showed that drama teachers are nervous about censorship.

Queue Listen Now

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was initially approved by Chinese officials to screen at more than 30 cinemas in Hong Kong and Macau on Thursday. But days ahead of the screening, the film's distribution company was told it was no longer allowed to show the slasher film starring a murderous Winnie the Pooh.

Why a horror film starring Winnie the Pooh has run into trouble in Hong Kong

1:40pm March 23, 2023

by Vanessa Romo

The film featuring a murderous Pooh bear has been pulled from theaters in Hong Kong and Macau without explanation. Some say it's a result of China's censorship of memes related to leader Xi Jinping.

Dimly lit theater stage with closed red velvet curtain.

Arts

Adults complained about a teen theater production and the show's creators stepped in

5:01am March 09, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

High school theater teachers fear their stages will be the next battleground in the culture war. Plays have been canceled or removed when local officials claim the content is inappropriate.

Students watch security personnel guard the main gate of Jamia Millia Islamia university Wednesday in New Delhi, India. A student group said it planned to screen a banned documentary that examines Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role during 2002 anti-Muslim riots, prompting dozens of police equipped with tear gas and riot gear to gather outside campus gates.

World News

India's government scrambles to block a film about Modi's role in anti-Muslim riots

2:59pm January 25, 2023

by The Associated Press

The BBC documentary interviews journalists, activists and victims of the 2002 unrest, which left more than 1,000 people dead. They say the prime minister, then a regional leader, looked the other way.

In July, this Beijing payphone began ringing. Who was calling?

A public payphone in China began ringing and ringing. Who was calling?

12:24pm October 03, 2022

It started in July. The callers live in Gourd Island, and they were hoping to share an important message that they say was being ignored by their local authorities.

Russia's communications regulator is threatening to fine Google and Wikipedia for not removing what it describes as misinformation about the war in Ukraine.

World News

Russia threatens to fine Wikipedia if it doesn't remove some details about the war

1:57pm April 01, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Russia's communications regulator says it will fine Wikipedia up to $47,000 for not complying with requests to take down information. It has made similar warnings to Google about YouTube videos.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at a news conference in Budapest on Feb. 17.

In Hungary, the arts are being suppressed by the government, a new report says

12:26pm March 21, 2022

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The Artistic Freedom Initiative contends that consolidated state power under right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and artists' self-censorship has led to an "existential crisis."

In this Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 file photo, visitors take photos of the 3D re-production of Michelangelo's David at the Italy's pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. One of the most talked about attractions at the world's fair under

Art or censorship? Expo shows just top of famed David statue

4:12am October 13, 2021

by The Associated Press

When visitors make their way to Italy's pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020, most will only see the head of Michelangelo's famous statue

Students say they triple-checked the 2020-2021 timeline and got an ok on the spread before it was published in the Bigelow High School year book.

High School Is Accused Of Censorship As Officials Rip Out Yearbook Pages On The News

8:54pm August 20, 2021

by Vanessa Romo

Administrators tore out a two-page timeline depicting recent events, including the police killing of George Floyd, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Jan. 6 insurrection. They cited "community backlash."