As Uganda prepares for the 2026 presidential election, opposition leader Bobi Wine faces off once again against long-serving President Yoweri Museveni in a battle that could redefine the nation’s future. With a campaign rooted in youth empowerment, democracy, and justice, Bobi Wine’s movement fuses music, activism, and political defiance—pitting generational change against entrenched power in one of Africa’s longest-running regimes.
Artistic freedom in Venezuela is under siege. Since the disputed 2024 election, artists, curators, and cultural workers have faced escalating censorship, detentions, and intimidation. Musicians are banned, exhibitions shut down, and human rights advocates criminalized under vague “anti-hate” laws. As the government tightens control, Venezuela’s creative community continues to resist, documenting truth and dissent despite fear and exile.
Morocco’s Gen Z protests, ignited on September 27, 2025, have become the country’s largest youth-led uprising since the Arab Spring. Sparked by deaths linked to hospital failures, thousands have taken to the streets demanding healthcare, education, and job reforms. Facing violent crackdowns and arrests, young Moroccans are joined by artists and activists, turning creativity into resistance and calling for a new social contract.
In September and October 2025, Madagascar’s youth ignited a historic uprising blending art, activism, and digital mobilization. Known as the Gen Z Madagascar movement, it united online creativity with civic resistance against corruption, inequality, and state repression. Through memes, music, and visual art, young protesters turned cultural expression into a force for democratic transformation.
Mohamed Tadjadit, known as “the poet of the Hirak,” became a symbol of Algeria’s 2019 pro-democracy movement. From the Casbah of Algiers, his poetry in darija reached millions, echoing calls for dignity and justice. Yet his words have come at a cost—censorship, arrests, and harassment by authorities. This article explores Tadjadit’s story, the repression of artistic freedom, and what it reveals about free expression in today’s Algeria.
By Khalid Albaih
Sudanese artist and political cartoonist Khalid Albaih, known as “Khartoon,” merges art and activism to challenge injustice and amplify silenced voices. From his 2025 exhibition Refresh at Kunstnernes Hus to digital platforms like KhartoonMag.com, Albaih turns creative expression into resistance. His installations Shahid and Bahar confront global indifference to conflict and displacement, redefining what it means to witness through art in a connected yet divided world.
A new UN report (A/80/278) warns that digitalization and AI can both amplify censorship and empower free expression. Civsy—created by Mimeta—directly answers this challenge. By training local researchers and deploying an AI-powered platform, Civsy systematically documents violations of artistic freedom, especially in underserved regions. This evidence fuels advocacy, policy reform, and accountability, turning data into a powerful tool for protecting cultural rights worldwide
From October 5–11, 2025, Banned Books Week unites readers, libraries, and advocates worldwide to defend the freedom to read. Led by honorary chairs George Takei and youth advocate Iris Mogul, this international campaign highlights the urgency of protecting intellectual freedom and creative expression from censorship. Join by reading challenged books, attending events, and amplifying authors’ voices.
More than 150 cultural institutions across the United States have issued a joint appeal against mounting political interference and censorship, warning that artistic and intellectual freedom are at risk. Led by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the Vera List Center, the statement calls for solidarity and courage as funding cuts and government intervention threaten the independence of museums, theatres, and cultural organizations nationwide.
One year after surviving attempts at censorship, Alipato at Muog has emerged victorious, winning Best Picture and Best Director at the 73rd FAMAS Awards. The documentary chronicles the Burgos family’s decades-long search for Jonas Burgos, a disappeared activist, and stands as both a landmark of Philippine independent cinema and a defiant reminder that truth-telling and artistic freedom cannot be silenced.
In August 2025, the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre faced unprecedented pressure from Chinese officials to censor artworks critical of Beijing’s policies toward Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hong Kong. The exhibition, exploring global authoritarian cooperation, was forced to remove or obscure names, flags, and political references—ironically becoming an example of the very repression it sought to expose.
On June 25, 2025, Kenyan streets became vibrant arenas of protest and creativity as artists and arts organisations took center stage in the Gen Z-led movement. From digital art and graffiti to music and animation, creatives transformed public dissent into a cultural revolution. Amidst censorship and police brutality, their work gave voice to the voiceless, preserved memory, and pushed boundaries. This fusion of resistance and art marked a powerful shift in Kenya's civic landscape.
The tragic death of Albert Ojwang, a digital activist and teacher, while in police custody has ignited nationwide protests in Kenya. Ojwang, known for his bold critiques of corruption and police abuse, died under suspicious circumstances after his arrest. A damning autopsy contradicted official accounts, sparking public outrage. His story has become a flashpoint in Kenya’s ongoing battle against police brutality and for freedom of expression.
Last week, MUSE/IQUE's The UnAmericans brought the Hollywood Blacklist era to life through a powerful multimedia performance at The Huntington. Blending music, narrative, and history, the show explored the silencing of artists during the Red Scare and underscored the ongoing fight for creative freedom. With performances honoring blacklisted legends like Lena Horne and Harry Belafonte, it reminded audiences of the high cost of censorship and the value of artistic expression.
Inside Mumbai’s Liberty Cinema, Grover’s KISS turns a single kiss into a symbol of India’s enduring battle over censorship and creative freedom. Set entirely in a preview theatre, the film sharply critiques the societal and institutional forces shaping Indian cinema. Drawing from colonial-era laws to modern controversies, KISS uses satire to expose the absurdities of what’s considered “acceptable” on screen—revealing the constant push and pull between tradition and expression.
The UN’s OHCHR is calling on individuals, experts, and organizations to share experiences promoting human rights and cultural diversity. Submissions will help inform a 2025 UN General Assembly report on implementing Resolution A/RES/78/201. Topics include inclusive institutions, freedom of expression, and cultural policy. Submit by 11 July 2025 and help ensure diverse voices are heard in shaping international policy. Full details on the OHCHR website.
At this year’s World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer, artistic freedom was conspicuously absent from the closing statement – a troubling omission from an event meant to champion all aspects of freedom of expression. We, as Mimeta, find this not only disappointing, but deeply concerning.
A call for applications is now open for the eighth round of the Abbara program. This initiative is designed to empower collective cultural work, strengthen the arts and culture sector, and address the shared challenges faced by independent cultural actors across the Arab region.
Tanzania’s creative sector is under pressure as government authorities intensify censorship. The National Arts Council (BASATA) now wields broad powers to ban or fine music, art, and online content deemed against “morals” or “public order.” High-profile cases—like those of Nay Wa Mitego, Roma Mkatoliki, and Zuchu—reveal a growing crackdown on dissent. As fear fuels self-censorship, artists and critics warn that the soul of Tanzanian creativity is at stake.
“She Leads” is more than a development project—it’s a narrative exploration. The initiative empowers girls and young women across Ghana to rewrite societal stories around gender and leadership. Through collaborative storytelling, community engagement, and institutional advocacy, “She Leads” challenges entrenched norms and fosters a new era of inclusive leadership. This is a bold step toward transforming Ghana’s gender narrative for lasting change.
