Culture news Director Jafar Panahi sentenced to prison by Iran Revolutionary Court Iran has sentenced acclaimed filmmaker and Cannes Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi to one year in prison and imposed a travel ban for allegedly engaging in “propaganda activities” against the state. The verdict, delivered in absentia, was confirmed by his lawyer Mostafa Nili. 02/12/2025
Culture news ‘The IT Crowd’ creator cleared of harassing transgender activist The IT Crowd and Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been cleared of harassment against a trans activist but guilty of criminal damage to their phone. 25/11/2025
Russia Russian court extends jail time of teenage singer over anti-war songs Russian authorities have ramped up their crackdown on dissent and free speech since the Kremlin sent troops on an all-out invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. 11/11/2025
Culture news Human Rights Watch reject donations from Saudi festival comedians The two-week entertainment event has been criticised due to the Saudi government's alleged human rights abuses. Several comedians who attended have offered to donate part of their performance fees from the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Here's everything you need to know. 15/10/2025
Culture news Why has Jane Fonda relaunched this McCarthy-era free speech committee? Jane Fonda has relaunched the Committee for the First Amendment, which was founded by her father Henry Fonda in the late 1940s, in order to protect free speech from government censorship. This comes in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel's suspension under pressure from the Trump administration. 02/10/2025
Culture news Trump’s FCC Chair to testify to Senate after Jimmy Kimmel suspension FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who appeared to pressure broadcasters to take Jimmy Kimmel’s show off air, is set to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee next month. His perceived actions have been criticised by both sides of the political aisle. 02/10/2025
Culture news Trump's plans backfire: Jimmy Kimmel's return breaks viewership record Jimmy Kimmel Live! has tripled its average ratings - despite about a quarter of ABC stations in the US not airing the show's return. 25/09/2025
Culture news Jimmy Kimmel returns: DeNiro cameos as Disney decides to up its prices Jimmy Kimmel returned last night and delivered an opening monologue that earned him several standing ovations. He even had Robert DeNiro cameo for a skit about freedom of speech. Amid the suspension fallout, Disney announced a price hike of its streaming services. Talk about poor timing... 24/09/2025
Culture news Jimmy Kimmel addresses Charlie Kirk comments in emotional return In an emotional mologue, the late-night host thanked those who supported him, addressed the comments he made about Charlie Kirk, and criticised the government and ABC affiliates who took his show off the air. 24/09/2025
Culture news Suspension over: Jimmy Kimmel to return after controversial axing Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show will return to ABC tonight, following a nearly week-long suspension over the host’s comments about the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. 23/09/2025
Culture news Marvel stars stand up for Jimmy Kimmel as Disney boycott intensifies Marvel regulars Mark Ruffalo, Pedro Pascal, Marisa Tomei and Tatiana Maslany, as well as former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, are the latest big names attached to Disney to speak out against Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension. This comes amid calls to boycott Disney and cancel subscriptions to its affiliates. 22/09/2025
Culture news How have US late-night TV hosts defended Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension? Stephen Colbert, David Letterman, John Stewart, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers have all voiced support for Jimmy Kimmel following the controversial suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. 19/09/2025
Culture news Trump is reshaping the US media landscape: After Kimmel, who’s next? Critics fear crackdowns on free speech as Donald Trump escalating his campaign to reshaping the American media landscape. After late-night hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, will media companies manage to protect other media personalities expressing their First Amendment rights? 19/09/2025
Culture news Jimmy Kimmel axed: Hollywood and political world denounce censorship First Stephen Colbert, now Jimmy Kimmel. ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its network “indefinitely” has sent shockwaves through the media industry, Hollywood and the political world. Many are criticizing the decision – which was applauded by Donald Trump – as an act of censorship. 18/09/2025
Culture news Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show suspended over Charlie Kirk remarks ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after his comments on Charlie Kirk's death were deemed offensive. Trump praised ABC's decision. 18/09/2025
Culture news Controversial Brit punk-rappers' gig axed over Charlie Kirk statements Punk rap duo Bob Vylan have had their next gig cancelled after frontman Bobby Vylan made controversial comments about Charlie Kirk's death on stage. The frontman has denied claims he celebrated the shooting of the ring-wing activist. 15/09/2025