freedom of speech

All the latest on freedom of speech: articles, analysis and ongoing coverage from Lost in the Jungle.

Sport

Two Iranian footballers granted Australian citizenship after refusing to sing national anthem

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, two former Iranian footballers, have been granted Australian citizenship. As part of a seven-person Iranian delegation, they sought asylum in Australia after refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem during their opening match at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in March. Both women expressed pride and deep gratitude for their new citizenship, according to Le Monde on August 6, 2026.

6 August 2026 at 08:47

World

Gabriele Stötzer, East German Dissident Artist, Wins 2026 Goslarer Kaiserring

Gabriele Stötzer, an artist from Erfurt, Germany, will receive the Goslarer Kaiserring in October 2026—one of the world's highest distinctions in contemporary art. According to Die Zeit, the award honours a career marked by resistance to the East German regime: at age 23, Stötzer spent 12 months in prison for protesting against the Biermann-Ausbürgerung. A major retrospective of her work, titled "Dabei sein und nicht schweigen" (Be Present and Do Not Stay Silent), is on view at Berlin's Gropius-Bau through December 6, 2026.

4 August 2026 at 11:18

World

Mehdi Black Wind Released in Morocco After Three Weeks in Detention

Mehdi Black Wind, real name El Mahdi Lyoubi, is a Moroccan rapper and filmmaker known for his activism against social inequality. He was released in Morocco on July 31, 2026, according to Le Monde. The artist had been arrested on July 10, marking three weeks in detention. His arrest sparked widespread mobilisation and international support. Following his release, Black Wind expressed his intention to return to Marseille, which he considers his second home and cultural anchor. The case reflects ongoing tensions between Moroccan authorities and artists or creators engaged in challenging social inequalities.

31 July 2026 at 21:04

World

Xenia Fedorova faces expulsion from France as her lawyer announces an appeal

Xenia Fedorova was served with a ministerial expulsion order on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, according to France 24. Her lawyer said he would challenge it immediately. The order alleges that her conduct harms France’s fundamental interests and that her presence poses a particularly serious and current threat to public order. It also accuses her of relaying Russian state-directed disinformation campaigns. Her lawyer, Canal+ and Lagardère say the decision undermines freedom of expression. The former head of RT France currently appears on CNews and Europe 1 and writes for JDNews.

29 July 2026 at 16:16

World

Hadi Matar declines to testify in federal trial linked to Salman Rushdie attack

Hadi Matar, 28, declined to testify on July 28, 2026, in his US federal terrorism trial linked to the attack on Salman Rushdie, ZEIT reported. Defense attorney Nathaniel Barone called no witnesses, and the court rejected a defense request to dismiss the case over an alleged lack of prosecution evidence. Prosecutors had also rested their case, with closing arguments expected Wednesday. Matar, who was sentenced in New York state court in 2025 to 25 years in prison for attempted murder, faces life imprisonment in the separate federal case.

28 July 2026 at 20:08

World

Trump Orders Warning Signs at National Museum of American History

Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring warning signs along pathways to the National Museum of American History in Washington. The signs are meant to 'correct' exhibitions accused of 'ideological capture.' The proposed warning text states that exhibitions were designed by people who do not want visitors to love their country. The museum is operated by the Smithsonian Institution, which has declined to comment. Critics accuse Trump of falsifying history and waging cultural warfare.

25 July 2026 at 07:57

World

ZDF Excludes Rapper Danger Dan from Satirical Show 'Die Anstalt'

German broadcaster ZDF has excluded rapper Danger Dan—stage name of Daniel Pongratz, member of the hip-hop group Antilopen Gang—from the satirical television show 'Die Anstalt', according to Zeit.de. The show's team characterized the decision as unprofessional. Moderator Claus von Wagner stated on July 18, 2026, in an interview with DWDL.de, that ZDF had sufficient time to review the text. The precise reasons for the exclusion have not been publicly disclosed.

18 July 2026 at 13:24

freedom of speech

Two Iranian footballers granted Australian citizenship after refusing to sing national anthem

Gabriele Stötzer, East German Dissident Artist, Wins 2026 Goslarer Kaiserring

Mehdi Black Wind Released in Morocco After Three Weeks in Detention

Xenia Fedorova faces expulsion from France as her lawyer announces an appeal

Hadi Matar declines to testify in federal trial linked to Salman Rushdie attack

Trump Orders Warning Signs at National Museum of American History

ZDF Excludes Rapper Danger Dan from Satirical Show 'Die Anstalt'

Related topics

freedom of speech

Two Iranian footballers granted Australian citizenship after refusing to sing national anthem

Gabriele Stötzer, East German Dissident Artist, Wins 2026 Goslarer Kaiserring

Mehdi Black Wind Released in Morocco After Three Weeks in Detention

Xenia Fedorova faces expulsion from France as her lawyer announces an appeal

Hadi Matar declines to testify in federal trial linked to Salman Rushdie attack

Trump Orders Warning Signs at National Museum of American History

ZDF Excludes Rapper Danger Dan from Satirical Show 'Die Anstalt'

Related topics