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.
Argentina’s artistic community faces systematic repression under Javier Milei’s government, which merges far-right libertarianism with state-driven censorship. From canceling concerts at memorial sites to dismantling cultural institutions and smearing dissenting artists, the regime weaponizes bureaucracy against creative freedom. Yet from guerrilla performances to encrypted livestreams, artists are resisting with powerful acts of defiance—turning cultural repression into a spark for resurgence.
"Glances of Resistance" began as a covert Berlin exhibition by exiled Nicaraguan artists, documenting authoritarian violence through defiant art. As Nicaragua's regime intensified repression—banning performances, exiling creators, and dismantling civil society—art became both target and weapon. From torn-down “Trees of Life” to underground collectives, this resistance preserves truth where the state enforces silence. Global solidarity is now vital to protect Nicaragua’s vanishing creative voice.
“Echoes of War,” a play by Butere Girls High School, was censored despite winning regionals in Kenya's national drama festival. A court ruling ordered its reinstatement, but police blocked performances, detained playwright Cleophas Malala, and harassed students. On April 10, the cast protested by walking out in costume, singing the national anthem. The incident sparked national outcry, exposing tensions between youth expression and state control.
Since 2016, SUSMA24 (Speak Up Platform) has fought against rising censorship in Turkey’s cultural sector. Formed under P24 by journalists and civil rights advocates, the initiative unites 120+ institutions to document suppression, support artists, and engage international bodies. From legal victories to global advocacy and banned art exhibitions, SUSMA24 showcases how grassroots resilience and transnational solidarity protect artistic freedom.
A new document from Jewish Artists UK, Courage and Care, is reshaping the debate on antisemitism and censorship in the arts. Backed by over 100 Jewish creatives, it challenges how institutions define antisemitism, particularly in relation to pro-Palestinian expression. The guidelines call for nuanced understanding, defending artistic freedom while condemning real antisemitism. Context, not censorship, they argue, should guide cultural policy.
Since 2022, Ettijahat – Independent Culture’s Sanad in the Digital Realm has empowered Arab and diaspora artists to challenge censorship, reclaim memory, and create across borders. With support from Mimeta, the Asfari Foundation, and the Swedish Arts Council, the program fuels digital creativity in fragile ecosystems through mentorship, grants, and cutting-edge tools like AI and VR.
At Arendalsuka 2025, Samtale og mingel: Kunst, kultur, trusler og (selv)sensur? tackles rising threats to artistic freedom. Organized by Nordisk Ministerråd, Kulturdirektoratet, and Voksenåsen, the event combines expert panels with networking. It highlights challenges from harassment to self-censorship and links cultural resilience with democracy—engaging policymakers, artists, and advocates.
Visa For Music (VFM), the premier platform for African and Middle Eastern music, invites professionals to contribute to its 2025 Professional Forum in Rabat, Morocco, from November 19–22. Hosted by ANYA Culture, the forum features showcases, panels, and networking opportunities. Submit proposals for conferences, workshops, or masterclasses by May 25, 2025. Engage with 20,000+ attendees, share expertise, and empower underrepresented music communities
Mawred invites you to participate in three online conversations on 14-16-21 May, aiming to foster dialogue around the intersection of technology and arts, and deepen artists’ engagement with emerging technologies amid accelerating digital advancements and their growing impact on the cultural sector. These conversations are grounded in the lessons learned from the 12 projects supported by the Culture 3.0 project between 2022 and 2024, all of which operate at the crossroads of art, labor, and technology
The 2025 Philanthropy Asia Summit brought together 700 leaders across sectors to catalyze change for Asia’s most urgent challenges. Held in Singapore, the summit emphasized collaborative, data-driven philanthropy to tackle climate change, health, education, and inequality. With a focus on cross-sector partnerships and scalable innovation, PAS 2025 highlighted Asia’s potential to lead global progress through bold, systemic action and collective investment in a resilient, inclusive future.
Sarah Al-Bahrani, a rising Iraqi actress, was indefinitely suspended by the state-linked Artists Syndicate after exposing sexual extortion in the entertainment industry. Accused of “unethical conduct,” she alleges retaliation for speaking out. Her case reflects Iraq’s broader suppression of artistic freedom and gendered censorship. Despite harassment and threats, Al-Bahrani has become a symbol of resistance in the face of systemic repression.
Freemuse’s State of Artistic Freedom 2025 reveals alarming global trends in artistic repression throughout 2024. Launched during Democracy Week in Kristiansand, Norway, the report highlights intensified crackdowns in Iran, Türkiye, China, and conflict zones like Gaza. Democratic nations weren’t spared, as self-censorship grew. Legal and criminal threats continue to endanger artists worldwide. Freemuse calls for global action to protect creative expression.
