Now that 2012 has wrapped up and we’re taking our first steps into 2013, let’s pause a moment to take a look at the path behind us. As we look at some of our top censorship stories from 2012, it’s apparent that our important work defending the First Amendment rights of the comics community is far from done. 2012 was a banner year for CBLDF, with huge victories, but a surge in new challenges reminds us that the fight against censorship is never done. 2013 will likely prove to be our most crucial year yet, and we have a long way to go before comics are truly safe from censors!
Ryan Matheson’s True Story of Defending Manga – In His Own Words
Ryan Matheson — a manga fan who was cleared of charges of importing child pornography, which Canadian authorities brought against him because of the comics on his laptop — joined CBLDF at New York Comic Con to share his moving story. Keep reading…
NEONOMICON Banned in South Carolina
The library director of the Greenville, South Carolina, public library system removed Alan Moore’s award-winning Neonomicon despite a content review committee’s recommendation otherwise and opposition from CBLDF and partner organizations. Keep reading…
Doodles Lead to New Jersey Student’s Arrest
A 16-year-old boy was arrested after a teacher in his school became concerned about doodles in his notebook and the school contacted authorities, who found materials they allege can be made into explosives in the boy’s home. Keep reading…
CBLDF Urges School District To Rescind Ban of SideScrollers
The protest of one parent led to the removal of Matthew Loux’s acclaimed SideScrollers from high school summer reading lists, even though the title was not required reading for any student. Keep reading…
CBLDF Expresses Support for Seattle Area Library’s Response to Manga Challenge
When a parent protested the inclusion of yaoi, or boys love, manga in the adult section of the library, the library director stood his ground and refused to remove the book from shelves. Keep reading…
Updated Arizona Anti-Harassment Bill Features Improved Free Speech Protection
The state of Arizona revised an electronic speech bill after CBLDF and other free speech advocacy organizations raised concerns over language in the bill that would have restricted constitutionally protected speech. Keep reading…
Why Tucson Matters
In response to a state law, the Tucson, Arizona, school district ended their acclaimed Mexican American Studies program, resulting in the removal of books by a Mexican American and Native authors from district classrooms and widespread protest from authors, teachers, and free speech advocates, including CBLDF. Keep reading…
Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Obscene Comics
A man in Monett, Missouri, plead guilty to the possession of obscenity for a collection of comics on his computer in a case that did not call upon CBLDF’s expertise, emphasizing the importance of calling on CBLDF’s legal know-how in free speech cases. Keep reading…
Manga Translator Acquitted of Child Pornography Charges In Swedish Supreme Court Ruling
The Swedish Supreme Court upheld the idea that drawn images cannot be equated with child pornography when it overturned the conviction of manga translator Simon Lundström, who was accused of the possession of child pornography based on sexually explicit manga images authorities found on his computer.” Keep reading…
Danish Report Discredits Link Between Cartoons and Child Sex Abuse
Danish researchers found that viewing cartoon depictions of underage characters engaged in sexual acts does not cause sexual assault against children in real life, refuting calls employing the fallacious connection to ban comics and animated material. Keep reading…
Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work in 2013 and on by making a donation or becoming a member of CBLDF!