Category: International

Indian Cartoonist Talks About the Increase in Self-Censorship

Political cartoonist and graphic novelist Vishwajyoti Ghosh is no stranger to speaking out about the importance of free speech both in India as well as the wider world. Recently, he sat down with the Hindustan Times to talk about what…

Zunar Arrested for Twitter Criticism of Malaysian Government

Malaysian cartoonist Zunar is currently imprisoned, awaiting questioning over a tweet he posted this week suggesting that the country’s judiciary is corrupted by political or financial influence. He issued the criticism just after the internationally condemned sodomy conviction of former…

Dylan Horrocks Reports from France in Wake of Charlie Hebdo Attacks

During a recent visit to France, comics creator Dylan Horrocks visited the site of the Charlie Hebdo attacks. He shared his thoughts on the visit exclusively with CBLDF. In the English-speaking world, the Charlie Hebdo attack has largely been responded…

Palestinian Cartoonist Questioned About Possible Mohammed Cartoon

Palestinian cartoonist Mohammed Sabaaneh is under investigation for drawing a cartoon that was widely interpreted as depicting the Prophet Mohammed, although the artist himself insists the figure was only a symbolic representation of the Muslim faith. Only a short time…

Angoulême Honors Fallen Charlie Hebdo Staff with “Charlie Freedom of Speech” Award

The aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attacks has left the comics world shaken, but it has also motivated cartoonists around the world to stand in solidarity with creators’ fundamental right to free expression. This past week, was another demonstration of…

The French Contradiction: Free Speech for Some But Not Others?

In the wake of the attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, many free-speech-loving Americans have been confused to say the least by the French government’s seeming hypocrisy in dealing with controversial expression. How could officials support the right to caricature…

Malaysian Police Again Raid Zunar’s Office, Seize Books

Malaysian police carried out another raid of cartoonist Zunar’s office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, seizing about 150 books despite having obtained no warrant for the search. Zunar himself is currently abroad in London, but has once again been summoned to…

Security Concern Leads to Self-Censorship at the Victoria and Albert Museum

In the aftermath of Charlie Hebdo, it is understandable that cartoonists, journalists, and even the general public would fear possible violent repercussion for expressing themselves, especially when it comes to talking about aspects of the Muslim religion in countries where…

Censorship Gone Awry in Cabbagetown Coffee Shop

At first glance, it appeared that a downtown Toronto coffee shop, Jet Fuel Coffee, was propagating anti-Semitic sentiment by hanging a series of art pieces entitled “The Jew Funnies” on their walls. Taking offense to the art, a man entered…