Legislation around the country is being introduced and passed to turn the people’s right to protest into domestic terrorism. Following the massive protest at Standing Rock, North Dakota, legislators helped pen new laws that would drastically increase the penalty for…
Author: Patricia Mastricolo
Yes, Comic Books are “Real Reading”
Lucas Maxwell posted a great (and friendly) reminder the other day, that even though comics are enjoying mainstream popularity on television and at the local multiplex, many parents and teachers still think reading graphic novels don’t really count as reading.…
66 Pounds of Hentai Confiscated by Swiss Customs
Swiss customs recently confiscated 66 pounds of comics that were shipped home by a fan returning from Comiket, the massive Japanese dōjinshi convention. According to Melonpan, the self-described otaku whose comics were held, customs seized the comics because of how young…
LGBTQ Buttons Pulled From Library
Last year Washington County libraries were asked to take down LGBTQIA displays for Pride Month, replacing them this year with exhibits featuring the more generic “Diversity” theme. But when the librarians felt like they should do more to represent Pride,…
Decree 349 – Cuba’s New Legislation to Silence Artists
Starting in December, the Cuban Government hopes to have pre-approval overall Cuban arts and literature, according to the dystopian sounding Decree 349. The legislation was introduced in July in the official Cuban state paper, Gaceta de Cuba, and has spawned…
Chilean Journalist Faces 3 Years in Prison for Recounting a Crime Committed by a Convicted Criminal
The first hearing for a Chilean journalist charged with defamation is scheduled for this week, and the results could have a chilling effect on freedom of the press in the country. Javier Ignacio Rebolledo Escobar, faces three years in prison…
Google Reverses Position on Free Expression
Disturbing news came out of the tech sector last week when a whistleblower released documents showing that Google is trying to re-enter the Chinese market with a search engine that conforms to the draconian censorship laws China’s internet is bound…
Image Comics Creators Fight Censorship!
Image teams with Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for powerful anti-censorship variants this September This September, Image Comics fights censorship with a powerful line of variant covers to benefit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), the industry’s voice for free…
Banned Comics for the End of Summer Reading
With the heat on full blast outside, and the thoughts of fall looming, graphic novels can be a great way to relax at the end of the summer. Whether you read solo, with you family, as part of a book…
Survey Shows First Amendment is a Mystery to Many
Freedom Forum Institute released the results from their annual State of the First Amendment survey, and 40% of participants could not name even one of the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. Out of the…