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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Transgender woman, bookstore, teacher sue over Montana law banning drag reading events

A transgender woman, the owners of an independent bookstore and an educator who teaches in costume are among those challenging Montana's first-in-the-nation law that bans people dressed in drag from reading to children in public schools or libraries Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-07-07 01:02:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #transgender woman #teacher sue #challenging montana #first-in-the-nation law #public schools #independent bookstore


Transgender woman, bookstore, teacher sue over Montana law banning drag reading events

A transgender woman, the owners of an independent bookstore and an educator who teaches in costume are among those challenging Montana's first-in-the-nation law that bans people dressed in drag from reading to children in public schools or libraries Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-07-07 00:47:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #transgender woman #teacher sue #challenging montana #first-in-the-nation law #public schools #independent bookstore


ALA 2023: Program Picks for Dealing with Book Bans

This year’s conference features an especially strong lineup of programs responding to the ongoing nationwide surge in book bans and legislative challenges to the freedom to read. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book bans #strong lineup #legislative challenges


ALA 2023: Behind the Book Bans

PW talks to author and iSchool professor Emily Knox about book banning has changed in just a few short years—and, perhaps most importantly, why it’s changed. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book bans #book banning


White House Announces New Position to Combat Book Bans

In honor of Pride Month, the White House today announced a set of actions designed to protect LGBTQIA+ communities, including the appointment of a new coordinator within the Department of Education to facilitate a response to the rising number of book bans at the state level. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pride month #rising number #book bans #state level


Librarians, Publishers File Amicus Briefs in Texas Book Banning Case

With oral arguments set for June 7 before a judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, librarians and publishers have weighed in on a closely watched case in Texas concerning the banning of books in Llano County, Texas. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #circuit court #llano county


Group Challenges Arkansas Law That Criminalizes Access to Some Books

A lawsuit says the edict “forces bookstores and libraries to self-censor in a way that is antithetical to their core purposes.” Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-06-02 18:12:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #libraries


Illinois set to become first state to end book bans

Governor JB Pritzker expected to sign bill that would block state funding for public libraries and schools that ban booksGovernor JB Pritzker is expected to sign a bill that would make Illinois the first state to legislate to end book bans – by punishing publicly-funded institutions that attempt... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-05-30 10:00:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #state legislature #public schools #ban books #public libraries


DOE Delivers Potentially Crucial Finding in Fight Against Book Bans

Freedom to read advocates are applauding a federal consent decree that could help blunt the surge of book bans in schools. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book bans #read advocates


New Jersey Proposes Anti-Book Ban Legislation

New Jersey becomes the fourth US state to propose an anti-book ban bill, tying state funding of public schools and libraries to freedom to read statements. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-05-22 14:58:49 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #public schools #libraries


A Bill in Connecticut Would Fund Sanctuary Libraries: Book Censorship News, May 19, 2023

A Connecticut bill would provide funding for sanctuary libraries across the state. That, plus this week's book censorship news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-05-19 10:40:00 UTC ]
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Why the world's largest publisher found a book-ban lawsuit in Florida 'irresistible'

PEN America and publisher Penguin Random House filed a federal suit against Escambia County School District over its removal of books from school libraries. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-05-18 17:34:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pen america #federal suit #school libraries #publisher penguin


PEN America and Penguin Random House Sue School District Over Book Bans

PEN America and publisher Penguin Random House filed a law suit today against a school district for book bans. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-05-17 16:28:56 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pen america #book bans #school district #publisher penguin #penguin random house


PEN America, Penguin Random House Sue Florida School District Over 'Unconstitutional' Book Bans

PEN officials called the suit a "first-of-its-kind challenge to unlawful censorship," bringing together concerned parents, authors, and a major publisher. "Censorship, in the form of book bans like those enacted by Escambia County, are a direct threat to democracy and our Constitutional rights,"... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Illinois passes bill to stop book-bannings.

Guess who made it out of committee? On Wednesday, the Illinois state legislature passed House Bill 2789, which would ensure libraries or schools that remove books from their shelves do so with the knowledge they shall ~shelve~ the state grant money they would otherwise have received. Governor... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-05-05 12:07:16 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ensure libraries #remove books #libraries


QUIZ: Can You Decode These Book Titles Scrambled by Google Translate?

Take this quiz to find out if you can choose the real book title after it's been scrambled by Google Translate. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-05-04 10:33:00 UTC ]
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These are the 13 books people tried to ban the most in 2022.

Today, the American Library Association has published its annual list of the Most Challenged Books—those most often targeted for banning in schools and public libraries. As you may already know if you’ve been paying even the slightest bit of attention, book banning efforts are in high gear right... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-04-24 14:24:23 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #annual list #public libraries #high gear #library association


American Libraries Are Taking a Stand Against Book Bans

Some of the best moments of my life have been spent in libraries, first as a patron, later as a librarian, and I have witnessed firsthand how hard the past few decades have been on libraries. As America has continued to dismantle its social safety net, libraries have been forced to pivot from... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2023-04-21 11:05:00 UTC ]
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PEN Report Shows State Legislation ‘Supercharging’ Book Bans

“The heavy-handed tactics of state legislators are mandating book bans, plain and simple,” said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, in a release announcing the new report. “The numbers don’t lie, and they reveal a relentless crusade to constrict children’s freedom to read.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book bans #state legislators #pen america


Google calls for relaxing of Australia’s copyright laws so AI can mine websites for information

Tech company argues government should support artificial intelligence development while artists seek protectionsFollow our Australia news live blog for the latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastGoogle and other tech giants have called on the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-19 04:40:32 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #australian government #guardian australia #free morning #copyright laws #latest updatesget #free app #tech giants #artificial intelligence #copyright law