After the Italian government covered up ancient nude statues ahead of a state visit from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last week, cartoonists are having much fun at officials’ expense, but also leading a debate regarding freedom of expression on the…
Category: News Blog
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On a Loop: Zunar’s Sedition Trial Delayed Once Again
The trial of Malaysian cartoonist Zunar was set to begin yesterday, but has once again been delayed while a separate challenge to the country’s Sedition Act is pending. A new start date has been set for March 9. If convicted…
“Cartooning Is the Art of Danger”
Exiled Iranian cartoonist Kianoush Ramezani took to the TED stage to not only talk about his work as an activist for free speech, but the explicit dangers cartoonists face when they do choose to speak out. Working in exile in…
Connecticut High School Cancels American Idiot Musical After Parent Complaints
After complaints from “a very small number of extremely vocal people,” a high school drama club in Enfield, Connecticut has cancelled its planned production of the musical American Idiot, even though the club’s faculty advisor was already working to cut…
CBLDF Presents: WILL EISNER’S Personal Library Collection Auction!
Will Eisner wasn’t just the godfather of comics, a creative force who changed the face of modern comics — he was also a staunch advocate for the freedom of expression. In celebration of Eisner’s indomitable talent and advocacy, CBLDF is…
Turkish Government Bans Brazilian Cartoonist
Brazilian political cartoonist Carlos Latuff may have become popular amongst the general population of Turkey, but the Turkish government will stop at nothing to still his pen. In a recent interview with Al-Monitor, the cartoonist discusses the implications of his…
For Myanmar Cartoonists, Satire is Both a Right and an Obligation
Since Myanmar’s military junta lost its stranglehold on the government in 2012, political cartoonists old and new have relished their newfound freedom to criticize the powers that be. Following the country’s first democratic elections of the new era late last…
Time is Running Out to Report 2015 Book Challenges or Bans!
Librarians and educators, have you dealt with any book challenges or bans in your workplace this year? Now’s the time to help the American Library Association and the Office for Intellectual Freedom collect this vital information to compile their annual…
Farghadani Acquitted on “Illegitimate Relations” Charge
Iranian cartoonist Atena Farghadani, currently serving a nearly 13-year prison sentence for caricaturing members of parliament as animals, has been spared even more prison time as she was recently acquitted of “non-adultery illegitimate relations.” That charge was brought after she…
Cartoonists Use Social Media to Show Solidarity with Censored Saudi Cartoonist
When Saudi cartoonist Abdullah Jaber seemingly disappeared for ten days, many feared the worst. Had he been abducted? Was he harmed for a cartoon critical of his government? When Jaber reemerged on Twitter, his message was simple — and disturbing — he…