free speech

A lady

One of America's most famous librarians says our battle over banned books is far from over

Nancy Pearl, badass Seattle librarian, has something to say about banned books: Read them.

One of America's most famous librarians says our battle over banned books is far from over
Protesters gather to condemn the killing of university student Mashal Khan, after he was accused of blasphemy, during a protest in Peshawar, Pakistan, April 20, 2017.

Pakistanis say their government has 'weaponized' its blasphemy law

Pakistanis say their government has 'weaponized' its blasphemy law
MigSzol demonstration in Budapest.

Hungary lays the xenophobia on thick in national questionnaire about immigration

Hungary lays the xenophobia on thick in national questionnaire about immigration
Sociology professor Saida Grundy doesn’t start her new job at BU until July 1, but she already finds herself in the middle of a heated debate.

A professor's tweets lead to a debate on race and free speech

A professor's tweets lead to a debate on race and free speech
The front page of satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, entitled "C'est Reparti" ("Here we go again") is displayed at a kiosk in Nice on February 25, 2015.

'Charlie Hebdo has always been an anti-racist magazine,' its editor says

'Charlie Hebdo has always been an anti-racist magazine,' its editor says
Artist Ai Weiwei stands in an exact replica of the cell where he was detained by the Chinese government for roughly three months in 2011.

Will Hollywood self-censor to get around Chinese restrictions? It’s already happening

As the market for movies and entertainment grows in China, both American and Chinese productions face difficult questions when it comes to Chinese government censorship. But figuring out if things are getting better or worse is harder than it appears.

Will Hollywood self-censor to get around Chinese restrictions? It’s already happening
The Russian film "Da i Da" ("Yes and Yes") directed by Valeria Gai Germanika

Russian curses are inventive, widely-used — and banned

Russian filmmakers must either avoid using profane dialogue or seek alternative ways to show their films, now that Russian 'mat' is no longer permitted in public performances

Russian curses are inventive, widely-used — and banned
Israeli protester

Israel considers banning its citizens from calling each other Nazis

The Israeli parliament is considering a law that would criminalize the use of the word 'Nazi' in most cases. It turns out that some Israeli Jews use references to Nazis and the Holocaust as insults directed at their own fellow Jews.

Israel considers banning its citizens from calling each other Nazis
A customer uses a computer at an internet cafe in Tehran. (Photo: REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi)

Iranians Get Brief Taste of Free Access to Social Media

On Monday afternoon some Iranian social media users got a big surprise. They were able to connect to Facebook and Twitter directly, without the use of proxies. The tweets, however, were short-lived.

Iranians Get Brief Taste of Free Access to Social Media

Yara Darwish: 'Qatar Would Love TV like Al Jazeera America'

The culture in Qatar hasn't allowed them to accept the idea of journalism. Anchor Marco Werman talks with Northwestern University in Qatar journalism student Yara Darwish. He says Qatar is a very private society where many do not understand the news.

Yara Darwish: 'Qatar Would Love TV like Al Jazeera America'

'Demon-Cratic Singapore': How Cartoonist Leslie Chew Takes on the Authorities

Singaporean Leslie Chew is the cartoonist behind the provocative comic strip 'Demon-cratic Singapore'. It's based on fictional events and characters but that hasn't stopped Singapore's government from charging Chew with contempt.

'Demon-Cratic Singapore': How Cartoonist Leslie Chew Takes on the Authorities

British PM Wants Porn Sites Blocked

The British government is asking internet service providers to automatically block access to pornography sites unless customers opt in.

British PM Wants Porn Sites Blocked

Documentary Glimpses at the North Korean Film Industry

The late North Korean Leader Kim Jong-il was the film fan. Director Lynn Lee got permission to film behind the scenes of the most cut-off film industry in the world.

Documentary Glimpses at the North Korean Film Industry

Inside the Hermit Kingdom: David Guttenfelder on Photographing North Korea

David Guttenfelder, the chief Asia photographer for the Associate Press, covers North Korea for the AP. He talks with The World about photographing one of the world's most closed off locations.

Inside the Hermit Kingdom: David Guttenfelder on Photographing North Korea

Why Political Cartoons Make People So Mad

If you're mad about something on TV, in a magazine or even a radio program like The World, you can write to us. But if you're the subject of a political cartoon or caricature and you disagree with it, what do you do?

Why Political Cartoons Make People So Mad