Free speech

a student stands with her arms crossed in front of a domed building on MIT's campus

On campus, Jewish and Muslim students fear for their safety

A new report finds Jewish and Muslim students "fear personal danger" related to their positions on the war.

On campus, Jewish and Muslim students fear for their safety
vigil with candles

Russian lawyer Alexei Navalny, who was clear-eyed about the dangers in prison, has died

Russian lawyer Alexei Navalny, who was clear-eyed about the dangers in prison, has died
protesters

Israel's War Cabinet is fracturing as pressure mounts to bring hostages home

Israel's War Cabinet is fracturing as pressure mounts to bring hostages home
tribal leader

As Israel-Hamas war continues, there are signs of growing sympathy for Hamas in neighboring Jordan 

As Israel-Hamas war continues, there are signs of growing sympathy for Hamas in neighboring Jordan 
Portrait of Alsu Kurmasheva,  a Russian-American journalist, who is wearing a purple sweater.

American journalist detained in Russia

American journalist detained in Russia
Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is pictured in his office in New York, Nov. 29, 2023.

Assassination plot in the US allegedly traces back to Indian govt

On Wednesday, a US federal indictment was unsealed, charging Indian national Nikhil Gupta in a murder-for-hire plot ordered up by an official inside the Indian government for targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual American and Canadian citizen, in New York.

Assassination plot in the US allegedly traces back to Indian govt
Activists from the Standing Together Movement play drums at a demonstration.

Standing Together leaders discuss attempts to open Jewish-Arab dialogue amid Gaza war

As political and military leaders negotiate over the fate of civilians on both sides of the war in Gaza, there are Israeli and Palestinian people who are working together to search for common ground. The World's host Marco Werman had a discussion with two leaders from Standing Together, the largest Jewish-Arab grassroots organization in Israel. They are both Israeli citizens. Sally Abed is Palestinian and lives in Haifa. Alon-Lee Green is Jewish and lives in Tel Aviv.

Standing Together leaders discuss attempts to open Jewish-Arab dialogue amid Gaza war
Hundreds gather at a rally outside New Scotland Yard demanding police to do more to protect London's Jewish citizens.

Jewish London on edge amid spike in antisemitic attacks

Police in London report that antisemitic attacks increased by more than 1,350% in the first two weeks of October, amid war between Israel and Hamas. The country's small, close-knit Jewish community is saying the British government isn't doing enough to protect them.

Jewish London on edge amid spike in antisemitic attacks
Pre-trial detention hearing for RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva started in Kazan, Tatarstan, and was immediately closed for the press. 

Russian American journalist detained in Russia

This week, Russian authorities detained Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist who works for the US-funded Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty news service. The dual US-Russian citizen was accused of failing to register as a foreign agent and collecting information about the Russian military as a “foreign entity.”

Russian American journalist detained in Russia
gathering of schoolchildren

New Russian high school history textbook blames West for war in Ukraine

This coming school year, high school students in Russia will receive new history textbooks. They offer a rewritten rendition of Russian history that reflects the Kremlin’s narrative about the war in Ukraine. The textbooks are part of a wider effort by the state to tighten control over the flow of information.

New Russian high school history textbook blames West for war in Ukraine
Bollywood actresses from left, Siddhi Idnani, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Adah Sharma and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah during a press conference for the movie "The Kerala Story" in Mumbai, India, May 17, 2023.

Is the fictional film 'The Kerala Story' cautionary or propaganda?

“The Kerala Story” is a fictionalized film that has sparked debate in India. It's about Hindu women being tricked into joining ISIS. The filmmakers say they are uncovering a hidden truth, while others say the film is exaggerated and divisive.

Is the fictional film 'The Kerala Story' cautionary or propaganda?
women with signs

After Taliban ban, women NGO workers in Afghanistan struggle to make ends meet

​​​​​​​Last December, in yet another blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban announced a ban on women working for nongovernmental organizations. Thousands of women lost their jobs overnight. The months since have been some of the most difficult for them.

After Taliban ban, women NGO workers in Afghanistan struggle to make ends meet
Leonardo de Carvalho Leal and Mayara Stelle administer the Twitter account Sleeping Giants Brazil, a platform for activism whose stated mission is to attack the financing of hate speech and dissemination of fake news, Dec. 11, 2020.

Will Brazil’s ‘Fake News Bill’ regulate disinformation or stifle free speech?

Brazil ranks third in the world for the most social media usage, following India and Indonesia. Now, a controversial, 3-year-old bill is weaving its way through Congress. It could regulate social media platforms in the same way as TV and radio. The “Fake News Bill” has staunch supporters, but some also accuse it of being a form of censorship.

Will Brazil’s ‘Fake News Bill’ regulate disinformation or stifle free speech?
man at podium

Afghans who fled to the US hope that Congress will fix their status 

After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban almost two years ago in August, tens of thousands of Afghans made their way to the United States. They were allowed to stay under a program called “humanitarian parole.” But that status expires in a couple of months, and although they can renew one time, many are calling for Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would allow them to seek more permanent status.

Afghans who fled to the US hope that Congress will fix their status 
man at table

Ethnic minorities in Russia are campaigning for the breakup of the country

​​​​​​​Russia's long persecuted ethnic minorities — Buryats, Chechens and Yakuts — have seized on the war in Ukraine to make a case for the independence of their own regions. They say the conflict has laid bare Russia's violent and imperial mentality, not just in Eastern Europe, but within its own borders.

Ethnic minorities in Russia are campaigning for the breakup of the country