Censored

Surge in Book Bans Across U.S. Schools Hits Record High, Nearly 10,000 Titles Censored Last Academic Year

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Nearly 10,000 books have been banned from U.S. public schools during the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a significant increase from prior years. This escalation follows the enactment of new censorship laws by Republican-led states, reflecting a troubling trend in the restriction of academic resources. A study conducted by PEN America, a nonprofit committed to upholding free expression, indicates an almost threefold rise in the number of banned books, up from 3,362 in the previous year. The surge is documented amid heightened legislative actions that have influenced local education systems across the country. The research highlights … Read more

Exiled Iranian Director Mohammad Rasoulof Illuminates Hope for Censored Filmmakers with Oscar Submission at Busan Film Fest

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Busan, South Korea – At this year’s Busan International Film Festival, Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, now living in exile in Germany, expressed optimism that his latest film, “The Seed Of The Sacred Fig,” being chosen as Germany’s official Oscars submission could inspire other filmmakers facing stringent censorship. Selected for the Best International Feature category, the film highlights challenges faced by artists in oppressive regimes, Rasoulof offered these comments while presiding over the New Currents jury. Rasoulof, who fled Iran just before the Cannes film festival earlier this year, has faced significant political oppression for his … Read more