Kuwait relaxes book censorship laws after banning thousands of titles

A 12-person committee previously met twice a month to approve or blacklist all books published in the country, for offences including immorality or insulting IslamAfter banning almost 5,000 books in the last seven years, Kuwait’s government has relaxed its book censorship laws in a move that has been welcomed by writers and free speech activists.Kuwaiti state media reported that the country’s parliament had voted 40 to nine in favour of lifting the Ministry of Information’s control over books imported into the country. Previously, the ministry had blacklisted more than 4,000 books since 2014, with titles including Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez falling foul of its censorship committee. All books published in the country had to receive prior approval from a 12-member committee that met twice a month before they could be released, with offences ranging from insulting Islam to “inciting unrest” and committing “immoral” acts. Related: Dostoevsky book among hundreds banned in Kuwait Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-08-25 13:26:49 UTC ]
News tagged with: #hundred years #books imported #insulting islam

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2023 in books: Protests, bannings and the rise of AI helped shape the story of publishing

The publishing world made plenty of news in 2023, but not only because of the books themselves Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-12-08 14:55:07 UTC ]
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CBC News analysis finds thousands of Canadian authors, books in controversial dataset used to train AI

A CBC News investigation has found at least 2,500 copyrighted books written by more than 1,200 Canadian and Québécois authors were shared online as part of a massive — and now defunct — dataset used to train artificial intelligence. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-12-07 09:00:49 UTC ]
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Congress Introduces New Bill to Fight Book Bans in Schools

Amid a historic surge in book challenges in schools and school libraries, the Fight Book Bans Act would offer federal funding to support school districts fighting challenges to books and educational materials. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Most Parents Trust, Respect, and Feel Safe with Librarians: Book Censorship News, December 1, 2023

Despite rhetoric from the far right, most parents feel their kids are safe in libraries and that librarians are trustworthy. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-12-01 11:40:00 UTC ]
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Fifth Circuit Hears Appeal of Texas Book Rating Law

At a 45-minute hearing on November 29, lawyers for a coalition of plaintiff booksellers and publishing industry groups urged the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to immediately lift an administrative stay that has allowed Texas's controversial book rating law to take effect despite... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-29 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Appeal of Texas Book Rating Law Set for Oral Argument Tomorrow

After weeks of anticipation, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit will finally hear oral argument in the state’s appeal of judge Alan D. Albright’s August 31 decision to enjoin key provisions of HB 900. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
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ACLU, Parents, and Students Sue Alaska School District Over Book Bans

The suit, filed on behalf of six parents of minor children and two students who are over the age of 18 in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough school district, seeks the return of 56 books said to be improperly banned from school shelves. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-21 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Amicus Briefs Urge Appeals Court to Uphold Block on Texas Book Rating Law

With oral argument days away, some 17 organizations and individuals have teamed up to file six separate amicus briefs urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to uphold a lower court decision blocking key portions of Texas’s controversial book rating law. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Booksellers, Publishers Urge Appeals Court to Uphold Block on Texas Book Rating Law

Attorneys for a group of booksellers and publishing industry associations argue that a district court in Texas correctly enjoined HB 900, and that the injunction should be allowed to stand. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-14 05:00:00 UTC ]
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In Appeal Brief, Texas Defends Controversial Book Rating Law

In a 62-page filing, state attorneys say a district court judge made "substantive errors" in ordering HB 900 blocked, and urged the Fifth Circuit to overturn the order and dismiss the case. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House launches high schoolers’ award to combat book bans

The publisher’s $10,000 Freedom of Expression prize invites teens to write about a banned book that changed their life, against a backdrop of rising censorshipPublisher Penguin Random House has launched a new writing award in the US celebrating freedom of expression in response to a rise in... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-10-24 12:34:56 UTC ]
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All The Public Libraries Offering Free Access to Banned Books: A Comprehensive Guide

A comprehensive guide to the public libraries offering free access to banned books. Here's where and how. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-10-23 10:40:00 UTC ]
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Print Book Sales Up 4.7% Last Week, Driven by New Adult Titles

A host of new titles and a solid performance by adult segments led to a 4.7% increase in unit sales of print books last week over the week ended October 8, 2022 at outlets that report to Circana BookScan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Appeals Court Lets Texas Book Rating Law Take Effect, Orders Expedited Hearing

The Fifth Circuit ordered an administrative stay to remain in place while an "expedited" appeals process plays out, effectively allowing Texas to enforce HB 900, the state's controversial book rating law, despite a district court finding it to be “a web of unconstitutionally vague requirements." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Banned Book Buses Roll Out for October

Three book buses—from MoveOn, PRH, and the 'New Republic'—are on the move this October, spreading awareness about the freedom to read and giving away copies of frequently challenged books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-04 04:00:00 UTC ]
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NYPL Launches Nationwide Teen Banned Book Club

The New York Public Library's Teen Banned Book Club offers free nationwide digital access to banned and challenged YA books. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-10-03 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Schedule Set, but Order Blocking Texas Book Rating Law Still in Limbo

In an October 2 filing, the plaintiffs argued that staying a federal judge's decision to enjoin HB 900 would "radically upend the status quo” and leave booksellers in a precarious position. But that is exactly where things stand, as an administrative stay issued by the Fifth Circuit effectively... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Children’s Books Edition: PRH’s ‘Banned Wagon’ Rolls Sunday

As Banned Books Week opens its October 1 to 7 run, Penguin Random House is taking some of the most attacked books on the road. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson Taking the Fight on the Road t Frankfurter Buchmesse (October 18 to 22), programming on tap in many parts of the... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-09-30 01:09:21 UTC ]
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Banned Books Week by the Numbers

As Banned Books Week 2023 gets underway, new data shows that an organized right-wing political movement is continuing to drive a surge in censorship attempts in schools and libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Appeals Court Temporarily Stays Injunction Blocking Texas Book Rating Law

The temporary hold, which is not based on the merits of the case, puts Judge Alan D. Albright's preliminary injunction on ice while the Fifth Circuit considers the state's bid to stay the injunction. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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