China wants to suppress independent cinema. But young film-makers are undaunted by red lines
Unless a film is given ‘dragon seal’ approval from communist state officials, it will never be released in China
Today in Focus
Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker: the US commentators banned from the UK – podcast
The leftwing American commentator Cenk Uygur talks about the ban on him and his nephew, Hasan Piker, entering the UK this week. With reporting from Kiran Stacey
Leftwing US pair refused entry to UK will address Oxford Union remotely
Home Office barred Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker on grounds their visit was ‘not conducive to the public good’
May 2026
The Guardian view on the splinternet: where China led, Iran and others are eagerly following
‘This isn’t freedom’: anger, anxiety and tears as Iran’s internet flickers back
French stars are rightly worried by billionaire Vincent Bolloré. Here’s how to rein him in
Alexander Hurst
Tennessee school district bans Alex Haley’s Roots under 2022 state law
Cambridge University’s proposed Saudi deal endangers academic freedom
‘It’s David and Goliath’: how UK campaigners feel silenced by Slapps
‘Factory of lies’: what will Péter Magyar do about Hungary’s state media?
The Audio Long Read
From the archive: No cults, no politics, no ghouls: how China censors the video game world – podcast
April 2026
US saw record high of 5,668 books banned in libraries in 2025, says agency
Most-banned book was Sold, a 2006 novel by Patricia McCormick about sex trafficking in India
Kremlin forcing big firms to join ‘witch-hunt’ against internet rebels, claims report
Campaigners say banks and web platforms are being told to collect data on customers visiting blocked sites
V&A censored catalogues after demands by Chinese printer
Exclusive: Victoria and Albert Museum has deleted maps and images deemed sensitive by Beijing censors from exhibition publications
March 2026
Tennessee library director fired after refusing to move LGBTQ+-themed kids’ books to adult section
Misrule of law
Five EU governments found to ‘consistently’ dismantle rule of law
Indian film board blocks release of Oscar-nominated Gaza drama The Voice of Hind Rajab
London book fair roundup: Idris Elba’s thriller deal, the rise of romcom, and fights against censorship
Unexplained Moscow internet blackouts spark fears of web censorship plan
Why independent bookshops strike fear in the heart of Germany’s culture tsar
