Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 has been fully cancelled following the disinvitation of Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah over “cultural sensitivities” linked to the Bondi terror attack and her statements. Director Louise Adler resigned in protest, decrying it as a blow to free expression amid lobbying pressures, with over 180 authors withdrawing and the board nearly collapsing. Economist Yanis Varoufakis amplified her warning on X: “No comment necessary,” quoting her call to arts colleagues: “They are coming for you.”
Tag: censorship
Elon Musk has activated its Starlink satellite internet service in Iran, allowing users with smuggled…
Greek economist and former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has joined a growing boycott of the…
Greek economist and former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has joined a growing number of authors…
The US State Department’s 2024 Human Rights Report acknowledges progress in Greece’s press freedom, citing government reforms and the adoption of the EU Media Freedom Directive, while also noting that major outlets often avoid publishing critical stories due to pressure and concerns over safety or job security.
Elon Musk has slammed the UK’s Online Safety Act, calling it “suppression of free speech.” The 2023 law, which empowers regulators to remove harmful online content, is criticized by Musk and digital rights groups for risking censorship due to vague terms. While sparking debate over balancing safety and free expression, UK officials defend it as vital for protecting users, especially minors.
Turkey has blocked Grok AI content on X for allegedly insulting President Erdogan, Atatürk, and religious values, following a court order and investigation into the chatbot’s unfiltered Turkish-language responses. This move reflects Turkey’s broader crackdown on free expression, targeting any unregulated voice—human or AI—that challenges the state’s narrative.
Four artworks by Christophoros Katsadiotis, vandalized by far-right MP Nikolaos Papadopoulos, have been reinstated at Athens’ National Gallery under enhanced security, including plexiglass and motion detectors. The pieces, part of “The Allure of the Strange” exhibition, were targeted for being “blasphemous.” Their return coincides with Papadopoulos’ suspension from the Niki party and a planned conference on art freedom.
He likened Niki’s “punishment” to a “Soviet Politburo”.
On March 10, 2025, the National Gallery in Athens released photographs of artworks vandalized by Nikos Papadopoulos, a fundamentalist MP from the ultra-orthodox Niki party, who claimed the pieces insulted Christianity. The artworks by Christophoros Katsadiotis were part of the exhibition “The Allure of the Bizarre.” Papadopoulos, with an accomplice, tore the artworks from the walls, causing significant damage. The National Gallery condemned the act, emphasizing the importance of protecting artistic freedom.
A Greek court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to reactivate the deactivated accounts of lawyer Ariadne Nouka. The court ruled that Meta’s actions violated the European Union’s Digital Services Act by failing to provide clear justification or due process for the account suspension. Nouka’s accounts were disabled after removing a video about upcoming legislative changes, raising concerns about censorship and platform accountability. The case is seen as a landmark decision with potential implications for user rights and transparency in digital platforms.
Days before Germany’s election, the EU threatens X with hefty fines and a potential ban for alleged election interference, raising concerns about censorship amidst the AfD’s rise in polls.
Russia has vowed retaliation after several EU countries blocked state media channels, including Ria Novosti and Rossiya 1, on Telegram. Moscow condemned the move as “an act of censorship” and warned of a response, accusing the EU of conducting a “campaign of repression” against Russian media. Tensions over media freedom and disinformation continue to rise amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A five-minute video clip from the film *Famagusta* is raising questions about Turkey’s alleged blocking of Netflix series. The clip depicts a disturbing scene from the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, highlighting the brutality faced by Cypriots. The story of Eleni Foka, whose father’s wound was reportedly stitched in the shape of a crescent moon, has become a symbol of the suffering endured during the conflict.
Greece’s media watchdog is investigating three prominent trap artists for potentially harmful content in their music and videos, raising questions about freedom of expression and online content regulation. The artists, Snik, Toquel, and Rack, face potential fines and platform bans.
A prominent independent radio station in Istanbul, Acik Radyo, was forced off the air by Turkish authorities for using the term “Armenian Genocide” during a broadcast. The station, known for its commitment to open dialogue and diverse voices, vows to fight the decision and continue broadcasting through alternative means.
AHEPA leader Savas C. Tsivicos has addressed Netflix’s decision to restrict the “Famagusta” series outside Greece following Turkish pressure. In his letter to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, Tsivicos criticizes Turkey’s influence on global content and underscores the need for diverse accessibility, highlighting concerns over Turkey’s historical narrative and growing authoritarianism.
If successful, Aliki Xanthakos, who is running alongside Barbara Coorey in the local Canterbury Bankstown election, will make history as the youngest Greek- Australian to be elected.
In a shocking turn of events, Pavel Durov, the CEO of messaging app Telegram, was arrested at Paris’ Bourget Airport on Saturday evening. French authorities are investigating the platform for allegedly insufficient content moderation, which they believe has enabled criminal activity.
Turkey has blocked its citizens from accessing Instagram, citing censorship as the reason. The move comes after a high-ranking Turkish official accused the social media platform of preventing users from posting condolences for an individual referred to as “martyr Haniyeh.”
UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has emphasised the need for Greece to acknowledge the United…
X, a global advocate for online freedom, has recently achieved a significant legal victory in…
An event that was scheduled to take place on March 12th at the NSW State…
Residents of the Athens district of Exarchia demanded to cancel a free concert by the…
A group of journalists filed a lawsuit against Facebook for censorship. Giannis Androulidakis, Leonidas Vatikiotis,…
Turkey has scored poorly in the ‘freedom’ stakes according to Freedom House, an independent watchdog…
By Uzay Bulut Today, 167 journalists languish in Turkish jails, a figure reported by Turkey’s Platform for…
