10 Oct 2025 | Africa, Americas, Asia and Pacific, Australia, Madagascar, Middle East and North Africa, News and features, Saudi Arabia, United States
Bombarded with news from all angles every day, important stories can easily pass us by. To help you cut through the noise, every Friday Index publishes a weekly news roundup of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression. This week, we look at social media restrictions in Afghanistan and the indictment of Letitia James.
Afghanistan
Taliban sources have confirmed that new restrictions on social media platforms in Afghanistan this week are intentional.
Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are among platforms facing disruption, according to global internet monitor NetBlocks, who also reported another internet outage in Kandahar province.
Last week saw a total telecommunications outage across Afghanistan, which Taliban officials told journalists was caused by old fibre optic cables that needed to be replaced. With this somehow causing a country-wide blackout of both internet and phone services.
USA
New York’s Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted on charges of fraud as part of a wider push by President Donald Trump to use the Justice Department as a weapon against his political enemies.
In 2022 in her position as Attorney General, James had filed a civil lawsuit against the Trump Organisation, as well as aiding in a three-year criminal investigation into Trump’s New York business dealings that led to a now overturned $500 million fraud ruling.
In order to prosecute James and also the former head of the FBI James Comey who had investigated Russian interference in the 2016 elections (and was fired by Trump), the President installed his former personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan as interim US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. This was after her predecessor refused to bring charges against people Trump had characterised as enemies.
In September before these prosecutions started, Trump posted to Truth Social a message he later admitted was intended as a private memo to Attorney General Pam Bondi stating: “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
Comey this week pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to congress.
Australia
Canberra, Australia, 9 October, whistleblower David McBride, who was jailed for leaking documents that alleged Australian Special forces had killed innocent people in Afghanistan, had an application rejected to have his case heard by Australia’s High Court.
This is the latest in an ongoing battle to have his sentencing overturned.
During the original trial, the Australian Government moved to prevent McBride from seeking protection under Australia’s whistleblower laws by blocking expert witnesses from speaking, citing “public interest immunity laws”.
The former military lawyer-turned whistleblower was convicted of three charges last year and sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for the theft of classified documents and for passing the documents to journalists at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
The documents formed the bases of an ABC investigation titled ‘The Afghan Files’ that claimed Australian Special forces units had committed war crimes whilst stationed in Afghanistan.
McBride is the only person imprisoned in relation to these crimes.
Madagascar
Even following the dissolution of his government, embattled President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar refuses to step down in the face of large scale youth-led protests.
Rajoelina said at a press conference: “I swear that if power cuts persist in the capital within a year, I will resign.”
Protesters from group Gen-Z Mada were not convinced, calling for more protests to take place on Thursday, during which rubber bullets and tear gas were used to disperse demonstrators. They also called for a general strike as a display that they reject the President’s promises.
Saudi Arabia
Human Rights Watch have told comedians who performed at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy festival that they “cannot accept” money that originated from the government of Saudi Arabia.
The statement comes as comedians who performed at the festival scramble to get public opinion back on their side.
Bill Burr, Louis C.K. and Omid Djalili have all attempted to spin their participation as positive, whilst comics Aziz Ansari and Jessica Kirson offered to donate their fees in a futile effort to buy back public opinion.
3 Oct 2025 | Afghanistan, Africa, Americas, Asia and Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Madagascar, News and features, United Kingdom, United States
Bombarded with news from all angles every day, important stories can easily pass us by. To help you cut through the noise, every Friday Index publishes a weekly news roundup of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression. This week, we look at the British government’s demands for data access and the Gen Z protest movement in Madagascar.
Labour asks for backdoor to Apple data
The government has renewed efforts to demand backdoor access to encrypted user data on Apple devices.
Ministers first asked for it in February this year, and Apple responded by pulling its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) tool from all UK users meaning no more secure end-to-end encryption of data stored on the iCloud platform.
This incurred Trump’s anger and he accused the British government of behaving like China. It seemed that the UK government then capitulated to US demands to drop the order with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stating on X; “the UK has agreed to drop its mandate for Apple to provide a ‘back door’ that would have enabled access to the protected encrypted data of American citizens and encroached on our civil liberties”’
The new order is believed to be more specifically geared towards the data of UK citizens and according to the Financial Times, “two senior British government figures said the US administration was no longer leaning on the UK government to rescind the order.”
The debate over encryption goes back to 2017, when encrypted messaging service WhatsApp was used just before an attack on Westminster, prompting then Home Secretary Amber Rudd to demand security services have backdoor access when given a warrant.
The UK has a history of levelling accusations against services that allow for end-to-end encryption. In 2022 parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee stated that terrorists were using encrypted messaging apps to communicate, and in 2020 England’s children’s commissioner released a report stating that end-to-end encryption puts children at risk.
Madagascar government dissolved after Gen Z protests
Gen Z protesters have risen up against the sitting president of Madagascar in the latest in a series of youth demonstrations around the world.
The protests were coordinated by the online Gen Z Mada movement against President Andry Rajoelina who took power during a 2009 coup. Aged 34 then, he became Africa’s youngest president. He is now in his third presidential term and aged 51.
In response Rajoelina has dissolved his government, however protesters argue that this is not enough.
The demonstrations began last week leading to a crackdown by security forces. The subsequent violence has now resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people and more than 100 injured according to the UN.
Jane Fonda relaunches Committee for the First Amendment
Actor Jane Fonda has relaunched the Committee for the First Amendment, a group formed in 1947 to fight back against McCarthyism.
The organisation at the time supported screenwriters, actors and filmmakers who had been accused of being communists and had been added to the Hollywood blacklist. Fonda is the daughter of original committee member Henry Fonda.
In a letter shared with CNN Jane Fonda wrote: “I’m 87 years old. I’ve seen war, repression, protest, and backlash. I’ve been celebrated, and I’ve been branded an enemy of the state. But I can tell you this: this is the most frightening moment of my life.
“When I feel scared, I look to history. I wish there were a secret playbook with all the answers – but there never has been. That’s why I believe the time is now to relaunch the Committee for the First Amendment – the same committee my father, Henry Fonda, joined with other artists during the McCarthy era, when so many were silenced or even imprisoned simply for their words and their craft.”
Taliban imposes nationwide communications blackout
The Taliban initiated a nationwide internet shutdown in Afghanistan this week, claiming it was just “maintenance”.
The blackout began on Monday and lasted for 48 hours, but internet access was reinstated following disruption to businesses.
Mobile phone connections were also affected in the week causing a complete shutdown of the country’s communications.
Taliban officials told journalists on Wednesday there hadn’t been a nationwide internet ban, however there is a history of such moves in the country, with broadband internet services being cut in over ten provinces last month, including in Herat.
Voice of America stops broadcasting during US government shutdown
Voice of America (VOA), founded in 1942 as an American international broadcaster, has halted all broadcasts.
This has never happened before because the federal news agency has, up until now, been considered to be essential to national security.
The VOA which broadcasts to authoritarian states has been the subject of criticism by President Trump and his administration. In March of this year Trump signed an executive order that targeted VOA, alongside Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Liberty, ordering that they “be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law”.
The news comes only days after a judge ordered the government to reverse its firing of more than 500 staff members at the broadcaster, firings that the judge alleged would affect its ability to continue worldwide broadcasting as required by Congress.
19 Sep 2025 | Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Georgia, Israel, Middle East and North Africa, News and features, Togo, United Kingdom
Bombarded with news from all angles every day, important stories can easily pass us by. To help you cut through the noise, every Friday Index publishes a weekly news roundup of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression. This week, we look at threats to cut funding for an Israeli film festival and arrests for projecting photographs onto Windsor Castle.
Israeli film festival faces funding cut threat
Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar has threatened to cut funding for the country’s national film awards after its top award was won by a movie about a Palestinian boy.
The Sea, written and directed by Israeli director Shai Carmeli-Pollak, won best film at the Ophir Awards, and automatically became Israel’s entry for the best international feature category at next year’s Oscars.
The movie follows the story of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy who attempts to travel from the West Bank to Tel Aviv to see the sea. It received 13 nominations, winning five.
In a post on X, translated from Hebrew, Zohar said: ‘There is no greater slap in the face of Israeli citizens than the embarrassing and detached annual Ophir Awards ceremony. Starting with the 2026 budget, this pathetic ceremony will no longer be funded by taxpayers’ money. Under my watch, Israeli citizens will not pay from their pockets for a ceremony that spits in the faces of our heroic soldiers’
The news comes during boycotts of the Israeli film industry from across Hollywood, with hundreds of actors, directors and producers taking part. The debate even made its way to the Emmy awards this week, with actors such as Javier Bardem vocalising his support for Palestine.
Trump picture on Windsor Castle leads to four arrests
Protest group Led by Donkeys made the news this week with their protest against a state visit to the UK by US President Donald Trump.
Four members of the group were arrested following the projection of images linking Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.
A spokesperson for the group told the Guardian: “We’ve done, I reckon, 25 or 30 projections since we’ve been going. Often the police come along and we have a chat to them, and they even have a laugh with us and occasionally tell us to not do it. But no one’s ever been arrested before, so it is ridiculous that four of our guys have been arrested for malicious communications.”
The protest group has previously taken over a screen at a Reform UK event, placed a large banner depicting a bombed out Gaza across from the London HQ of the Labour party, an action which led to the arrest of two of the organisation’s founders.
The news comes during a crackdown on freedom of speech in the US this week, with Trump initiating a $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times for publishing a story linking him to Epstein.
The New York Times responded with the following statement: “This lawsuit has no merit. It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting. The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favor and stand up for journalists’ First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people.”
Togo’s former defence minister arrested after criticising government
Marguerite Gnakadé, former defence minister in the West African nation of Togo, has been arrested after calling for the end of dynastic rule in the country.
Gnakadé has been a vocal critic of the government, calling for the resignation of the President, and for the military to stand with the people in ending the government’s rule.
Faure Gnassingbé became President of Togo following the death of his father Gnassingbé Eyadéma in 2005, who had been president since 1967. He continued in this role until he became president of the council of ministers, using constitutional amendments to hold on to power, a move that has been met with protests that left at least five people dead.
Togo has a history of repressing dissenting voices, violent repression of protests, the imprisonment of journalists critical to the regime and the 2024 banning of demonstrations organised by political parties.
Politicians in over 50 countries used ant-LGBTQ+ rhetoric during elections
A report from Outright International has found that anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has been used by politicians during elections in 51 out of 61 jurisdictions studied.
The NGO, which promotes LGBTQ+ rights, looked at elections worldwide throughout 2024, a year it describes as a ‘super election year’ in which more than 1.5 billion people were eligible to vote, which the NGO described as a “unique opportunity” to assess inclusion in democracies across the globe.
History was also made in 2024 with the election of Sarah McBride, the first trans person to be elected to the US House of Representatives, set against the backdrop of increasing ant-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from members of the country’s Republican party.
In countries such as Georgia laws have been passed to cut down on freedoms for LGBTQ+ people, with the ruling Georgia Dream party banning same-sex marriages and gender-affirming treatments while promoting “traditional family values”.
Alberto de Belaúnde, a director at Outright International,said: “You talk with a politician from Peru … or Hungary or the UK, you start to see common trends and you realise that it’s a global, coordinated and increasingly well-funded effort to diminish LGBTIQ people.”
19 Sep 2025 | Americas, News and features, United States, Volume 54.02 Summer 2025
This article first appeared in Volume 54, Issue 2 of our print edition of Index on Censorship, titled Land of the Free?: Trump’s war on speech at home and abroad, published on 21 July 2025. Read more about the issue here.
Ever since 1933 when Franklin D Roosevelt began to introduce the New Deal in response to the Great Depression, analysts and observers have carefully analysed the first few months of a new political leader’s tenure to gauge their impact. The concept of the “first 100 days” was coined to highlight the whirlwind of executive orders (EOs) and Congressional legislation that Roosevelt unleashed on the American public.
The first few months of President Donald Trump’s second term have certainly been eventful, with huge policy changes both at home and abroad. In this article, we visualise some of the figures that delineate the actions he has taken. If you are viewing the website on a computer, you can hover over the charts to enlarge them.
Trump has been busy flourishing his thick pen and signing a raft of EOs. In the first 100 days, he issued more than any other president on a pro rata basis, even Roosevelt who churned out a total of 1,707 EOs during his first term.
The word cloud above takes the text of Trump’s EOs and analyses it for common themes. We have removed several frequently occurring words that are essentially furniture to the broader themes, such as “department”, “administration” and so on. Trump’s focus on the war on drugs and immigration, and the trade war are hard to miss.
Roosevelt’s first 100 days also saw a flurry of legislation going through Congress. Some 76 pieces of legislation, including 15 major Acts, were passed. Typically, in each two-year period since 1973, Congress has enacted between 20 and 50 pieces of legislation per month. During Trump’s second presidency, Congress has only enacted 36 pieces of legislation in five months, the lowest activity in 50 years. However, just as we went to press, Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) was passed. Omnibus spending bills like the BBB have become more common than traditional legislation as they are immune to the filibuster – a blocking tactic that has increased in use sharply in recent years.
Trump has attacked all of the major pillars of democracy. In the chart below, we see some of the actions he has taken which are challenging legal freedom and freedom of expression around diversity, equity and inclusion.
The freedom of the media to report on Trump's actions has also been challenged since the President took office. Universities are also under attack.
This tsunami of data shows that democracy in the USA is not merely being eroded but rather hacked away with a power drill.
