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.
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.
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.
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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...
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.
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?
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.
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.
Culture news
UK Met Police chief calls for law change after arrest of comedy writer
Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has responded to the controversial arrest of Graham Linehan earlier this week, saying that police "should not be policing toxic culture war debates." Linehan's arrrest over anti-trans posts has sparked heated debate in the UK over freedom of speech.
Culture news
Arrest of comedy writer over transgender posts sparks outcry in UK
The Irish comedy writer and creator of celebrated shows like The IT Crowd and Father Ted was arrested this week at Heathrow Airport over a series of anti-trans posts. The arrest has sparked fury and free speech outcry in the UK, with Elon Musk describing Britain as a "police state".
EU Decoded
Can the EU implement its new press freedom law?
Press freedom is a fundamental pillar of democracy, but it has been declining in several EU member states. Since August, governments have to fully implement the Media Freedom Act, but some are resisting the first-ever EU regulation related to the press.
Culture news
Watch Kneecap condemn Viktor Orbán in surprise Sziget 2025 broadcast
The Irish rappers were banned from attending Sziget festival, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán prohibiting them from entering Hungary for three years. Still, that didn't stop Kneecap from getting their message across to disappointed fans...