Political violence and civil unrest are among the top global business risks, driven by rising protests, economic instability, and ideological extremism. Allianz Commercial reports that over 50% of businesses identify civil unrest as their primary political violence concern. With 800+ major protests since 2017, and $10B+ in related losses over a decade, companies must prioritize risk mitigation, continuity planning, and insurance coverage to navigate the unstable geopolitical climate.
Uganda’s artists face growing censorship under President Museveni’s rule. From banned music and plays to arrested comedians and TikTokers, creative expression is under siege. Laws targeting LGBTQ+ content and political satire have silenced many, yet artists continue to resist through coded messages, digital activism, and global collaboration—proving that creativity remains a powerful force against oppression.
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Amid rising global uncertainty and a rapidly shifting philanthropic landscape, the 2025 Skoll World Forum brought together changemakers from around the world in Oxford and online under the theme, “Together We Can Mend What is Broken.” From April 1–4, the forum served as a catalyst for ideas, urgent action, and transformative collaboration. By spotlighting pioneering social innovations and reimagining how philanthropy and development can adapt to today’s complex realities, the event offered a hopeful yet pragmatic roadmap for tackling systemic challenges and shaping more equitable futures.
On April 3, 2025, Lusaka's streets echoed with the voices of protesters demanding justice for the alarming rise in child rape cases. Among them were prominent musicians like Sista D, B’Flow, and Wezi Heartsound, who joined civil society groups to call for legal reforms to protect Zambia’s children from sexual violence.
In response to the authoritarian shifts under President Trump’s administration, several international artists have taken a stand by boycotting performances in the United States. Notable figures such as András Schiff, Christian Tetzlaff, and Jean-Guihen Queyras have canceled U.S. engagements, highlighting the global resistance against Trump’s controversial policies, including his overhaul of cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center.
The controversy surrounding L2: Empuraan highlights the issue of self-censorship in Indian cinema. Despite its box-office success, the filmmakers voluntarily altered parts of the film under pressure from political and ideological factions.
In January 2023, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior launched the Ballegh platform, an online reporting system that allows citizens to flag social media content deemed “indecent” or harmful to public morals. Promoted as a tool to uphold societal values, Ballegh quickly became a mechanism for state repression.
On March 27, 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which seeks to reshape how federally funded cultural institutions like the Smithsonian present U.S. history.
Cultural institutions in Arendal have established an initiative, Art27Arendal: for artistic rights, freedom of expression, democracy and internationalization.
Kristin Danielsen, from Arendal in Norway, has been named the new Director of the Nordic Culture Fund and will assume the role in September 2025. She brings extensive experience from the arts and culture sector at national, Nordic, and international levels, most recently serving as Chief Executive Director of Arts and Culture Norway.
In February 2025, Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi was abruptly removed from representing Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, igniting a firestorm of controversy within the international arts community. The decision, made by Creative Australia, followed backlash over Sabsabi’s 2007 video installation You
Lebanon’s vibrant arts scene, known for its cultural richness and political critique, continues to face significant challenges due to censorship and harassment. Artists, filmmakers, and performers are frequently targeted by authorities, religious groups, and political factions when their work addresses sensitive issues such as politics, religion, or gender, domestically and abroad
Zimbabwe remains a hostile space for artists challenging the government, with increasing censorship and harassment under President Mnangagwa. Despite constitutional guarantees, musicians like Winky D and comedians like Samantha Kureya face threats, abductions, and show cancellations for criticizing corruption and injustice.
In February 2025, Moroccan artist Khadija Tanana became the latest target of state censorship when her artwork, Hand of Fatima, was forcibly removed from the Tetouan Centre of Modern Art.
Artistic freedom in Jordan faces significant challenges, with artists across various fields—spanning journalism, street art, music, and filmmaking—dealing with censorship, harassment and legal action, making an environment where creative expression is increasingly constrained
The violent pro-monarchy protests in Nepal have claimed the life of journalist Suresh Rajak, a dedicated photojournalist with Avenues Television, after demonstrators set fire to a building he was reporting from in Kathmandu.
Artists often wield significant influence beyond their craft, shaping political discourse and national identity. Manisha Koirala, a celebrated Bollywood actress of Nepali origin, exemplifies this power through her vocal support for monarchy and Nepal’s Hindu identity.
Zimbabwe’s music and comedy scenes have long been vibrant arenas for cultural expression, but they are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for freedom of speech.
Arrested in 2018 for criticizing corruption, Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy has endured torture, harsh prison conditions, and prolonged detention. His case exemplifies Egypt’s escalating crackdown on artistic freedom.
