Canada: Student suspended for satirical YouTube videos

A Canadian twelfth grade student has been suspended for posting satirical videos on his own private YouTube account.

The animations, criticising aspects of the American government and the behaviour of large corporations and were considered by the Donald A. Wilson Secondary School to be “detrimental to the positive moral tone of the school”. Jack Christie is currently being investigated by police who were called by the school when the videos started appearing.

Christie has responded to the school board in his latest video (WARNING: SOME STROBE LIGHTING)

China tightens television censorship

Hunan Broadcasting System, one of China’s largest television networks, has told the Financial Times it will reduce entertainment content and revamp its programming to comply with new government broadcasting standards. The network has outposts in Hong Kong and North America and is known for airing Super Girl, a version of UK’s Pop Idol.

Prague Bookfair and the politics of Saudi censorship, part 2

Last Friday, Index on Censorship editor Jo Glanville wrote here about the dubious adulation of Saudi Arabia at the Prague Bookfair:

The sponsor and guest of honour at the book fair this year is Saudi Arabia. Although there are a number of politically sensitive events taking place — such as a discussion on the Arab Spring and another on social change in Saudi culture — it is not enough to let anyone forget the Saudis dismal record on freedom of speech. The sponsorship of book fairs by authoritarian regimes is becoming a disturbing trend. China was guest of honour at the Frankfurt book fair in 2009, also highly controversial and to be repeated at the London book fair next year. Russia was the market focus country this year at the London book fair. (more…)

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