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Week of July 22, 2024 | Iran Unfiltered is a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei emphasized the importance of constructive interaction between the parliament and the incoming Pezeshkian administration. Khamanei made the remarks in a recent meeting with members of Irans Parliament that included Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly elected president from the 14th presidential election.

Khamenei stated to the twelfth Parliament that the success of the elected president in governing the country equates to success for all. He stressed the need for a united front, particularly on significant national issues, to ensure a single, cohesive voice that would deter those looking for signs of division. During his address, Iranian media paid special attention to the images of Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf seated together in the front row, signaling potential unity between the two former rival candidates for the presidency.

Khamenei stressed the importance of the Parliament approving the new cabinet proposed by President Pezeshkian. He urged swift action, stating that a prompt confirmation would benefit the country by enabling the government to start its work without delay.

Following the official ceremonies, including the inauguration and confirmation set for July 30, Pezeshkian will formally assume his duties as Irans new president. The twelfth Parliament will then face the task of granting confidence votes to his proposed ministers.

Ayatollah Khamenei called on the elected officials to be deeply committed to the Islamic Republic and maintain a national perspective, avoiding political and factional entanglements. Mohammad Javad Zarif, head of the Transition Steering Council for Pezeshkians administration, reiterated this sentiment in a recent interview, emphasizing the goal of forming a national unity government despite potential ideological differences.

In immediate reactions, Ghalibaf posted on social media expressing Parliaments support for the new president and commitment to cooperation. Pezeshkian also thanked the Supreme Leader for his support, underscoring the importance of a unified voice for Irans progress.

In another part of his speech, Khamenei defended the Strategic Action Plan to Lift Sanctions, a contentious piece of legislation enacted during the eleventh Parliament amid the Rouhani administrations final months in office. He dismissed criticisms of the law, praising it as a significant and correct move despite objections. Khamenei argued that while sanctions could be lifted honorably, neutralizing them was even more crucial.

During the recent presidential campaign, both Zarif and former President Hassan Rouhani criticized the law as an obstacle to lifting sanctions and reviving the nuclear deal (JCPOA). However, in a debate, Pezeshkian clarified his support for the law within the framework set by the Supreme Leader, countering claims of opposition.

The law, passed by the eleventh Parliament in December 2020 following Joe Bidens election victory in the U.S., mandated the Iranian government to resume 20% uranium enrichment, reduce IAEA inspections, and increase low-enriched uranium stockpiles if U.S. sanctions were not lifted. This legislation, passed after the Israeli assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhhrizadeh and enacted during Bidens first month in office, escalated tensions over Irans nuclear program and moved Iran further away from compliance with the nuclear deal President Trump exited.

As the new administration under President Pezeshkian takes shape, the focus will be on collaboration and unity within Irans political landscape, aiming to navigate the challenges ahead.

A public session of the Iranian Parliament descended into chaos after a representative protested the lack of consideration for his urgent proposal to lift internet censorship. Mohammad Qasem Osmani, representing Boukan in the Iranian Parliament, raised an objection during the session, stating: I submitted an urgent proposal to the Presidium. This proposal has gone through all necessary steps, but Mr. [Mohammad Bagher] Ghalibaf vetoed it. By what right did you do this? Mr. Ghalibaf, you swore on the Quran to uphold the internal regulations of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Addressing Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament, Osmani said: This is not a military barracks; this is the Islamic Consultative Assembly. This is the House of the Nation. As a representative of the people, I drafted this proposal in their interest, and it followed the urgent procedure as per the regulations. Why did Mr. Ghalibaf veto it? He continued: Shouldnt the Presidium adhere to the parliamentary regulations? If I, as a representative of the people, cannot speak, who will voice the peoples concerns? Nikzads reference to the parliament not being a military barracks alluded to Ghalibafs long history as a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) before serving as the Mayor of Tehran and later as the Speaker of Parliament.

In Ghalibafs absence, the session was chaired by Ali Nikzad, the Deputy Speaker. Nikzad responded to the protesting representative, saying: The attribution you made to the Speaker is not correct. Currently, there are 30 urgent proposals with the Presidium, and each must be addressed in due time.

Following Nikzads remarks, several representatives politically aligned with the Speaker approached Osmanis seat, engaging in a heated discussion. The argument was eventually resolved with the intervention of Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, another Deputy Speaker.

Internet censorship is a critical political and social issue in Iran, frequently discussed in public debates and election promises. During his campaign, President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian stated his opposition to the current state of internet censorship and made promises to improve the situation.

However, critics of Pezeshkian argue that policymaking in areas such as lifting censorship does not fall within the Presidents jurisdiction and that such promises should not be used to sway voters. Pezeshkian, in his first speech after winning the election, asserted that he has not made any promises he cannot fulfill. Operating outside of the Presidents direct oversight, the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, comprising various government bodies, along with the Working Group for Determining Instances of Criminal Content, operating under the Attorney General, holds extensive authority over internet censorship in Iran.

Russia has announced the completion of a Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement with Iran, which is now ready to be signed. Andrey Rudenko, a Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, informed the official news agency TASS that the drafting of the agreement, which took two and a half years, concluded following final expert consultations in Moscow last month.

Iranian media had previously reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Irans President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian had emphasized the importance of maintaining relations at the highest level in a telephone conversation. Putin expressed hope that the agreements reached during Ebrahim Raisis administration would continue. Pezeshkian accepted Putins invitation to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, this fall, and indicated that Tehran is prepared to sign the agreement at the summit.

Although details of the agreement have not been disclosed, Kazem Jalali, Irans ambassador to Moscow, stated in an interview with IRNA last December that the agreement covers a wide range of areas and includes mutual respect and territorial integrity of both countries. He also assured that the agreement is not secret or private and indicated that the text of the agreement, after being approved by both governments, would be submitted to the parliaments of the two countries for ratification.

About 40 days ago, the state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Zamir Kabulov, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official and special envoy of Vladimir Putin to Afghanistan, stating that the comprehensive cooperation agreement was temporarily suspended due to issues faced by Iranian partners. However, shortly after this announcement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that Moscow and Tehran are still pursuing the agreement, though the timing of certain events might change. He emphasized that Russia intends to develop its relations with Iran.

Kazem Jalali also refuted the suspension news as incorrect, stating: Our efforts have been focused on signing this agreement by officials of both countries in 2024. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later attributed the delay to administrative hurdles on the Iranian side.

In recent years, Iran has strengthened its ties with Russia and China through membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. Iran also signed a 25-year comprehensive agreement with China. Concurrently, the cooperation between Iran and Russia has intensified following the Ukraine war, with Moscow utilizing Iranian drones to fatal effect.

Notably, President Putin did not attend Ebrahim Raisis funeral and will not be present at Pezeshkians inauguration. Previously, IRNA reported that Putin informed Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, that the Russian State Dumas Speaker would attend Pezeshkians inauguration next week in Tehran.

Hossein Zafari, spokesperson for Irans Crisis Management Organization, has announced that the organization is on high alert for an impending heatwave in several regions of the country. Zafari stated that provinces have been instructed to prepare for severe heat in the coming days. He also emphasized that the Ministry of Energy has been advised to consider closing government offices and high-consumption factories if necessary to manage energy use effectively.

In response to the heatwave, working hours for government offices, organizations, banks, and municipalities in some provinces have been reduced in the coming days with some provinces declaring Saturday a holiday. Sadegh Ziaeian, head of the National Center for Forecasting and Crisis Management at the Meteorological Organization, previously warned of rising temperatures over the weekend. He predicted that temperatures in Tehran could reach 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday and Sunday, with parts of Khuzestan expected to hit 122 degrees. He also noted that sections of Kerman, Khuzestan, Bushehr, and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces could see temperatures climb to 122 degrees or higher in the next two days. According to Ziaeian, July temperatures in Iran have been 1.3 degrees higher than the 30-year average, with residents expected to experience a 5-8 degree increase in the coming days. He specifically warned residents of North Khorasan province, who will see the most significant temperature rise.

Maziyar Gholami, director general of Tehrans meteorological department, noted that the highest temperature recorded in the capital in recent years was 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit, with the highest provincial temperature reaching 114 degrees. Ziaeian expressed hope that temperatures would drop and return to normal by Monday.

Additionally, Ziaeian, revealed that the organization has not received funding for implementing the Crisis Management Laws objectives in the past five years. He also mentioned that critical data for pollution forecasting was last provided in 2017.

Ziaeian criticized this situation, stating: To forecast air pollution, we need current traffic data and emissions inventories, not data from seven years ago. During a joint meeting with members of the Crisis Management Organization, he highlighted the vital role of meteorology in crisis management. He noted that the Meteorological Organization is a key member of the Crisis Management Headquarters, with 90% of its services dedicated to crisis management. However, financial challenges and the lack of access to essential data layers for predicting weather-related hazards remain significant issues.

Air pollution has become a severe problem in Iran over the past few decades, affecting residents of both large and small cities. Despite this, the government has yet to implement substantial and scientific measures to address the issue, which claims thousands of lives annually according to official statistics.

Iran and Sudan have officially exchanged ambassadors, nearly 10 months after re-establishing diplomatic ties. This marks a significant step in the renewed relationship between the two countries following an eight-year hiatus.

Sudans military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, received the Iranian ambassador, Hassan Shah Hosseini, who presented his credentials at a port on the Red Sea, away from the conflict-ridden capital, Khartoum. Concurrently, Sudan dispatched its new ambassador, Abdulaziz Hassan Saleh, to Tehran.

The Sudanese government issued a statement highlighting the meeting and the symbolic importance of this diplomatic exchange. This move signifies the latest effort to mend ties that were severed in 2016 when Sudan cut relations in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, following attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran by protestors outraged over the execution of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr in Saudi Arabia.

In a reflection of shifting alliances, Iran and Saudi Arabia restored their relations early last year with Chinas mediation, prompting Sudan to reconsider its stance and renew ties with Iran. However, Bahrain, a close Saudi ally, has not yet resumed relations with Iran.

Sudans Foreign Minister had previously visited Tehran to offer condolences after the death of Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, setting the stage for this recent diplomatic development. Hussein al-Amin, Sudans Deputy Foreign Minister, described the exchange as the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations.

Since the 2019 military coup that ousted long-time leader Omar al-Bashir, Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating civil war. The conflict pits al-Burhans army against the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, al-Burhans former deputy. This war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

The conflict has drawn in various international players, with Egypt and Turkey supporting Sudans army, while other Arab and Islamic countries back the Rapid Support Forces. In December, Sudan expelled UAE diplomats over allegations of support for the Rapid Support Forces, though the UAE maintains it is neutral.

Notably, in March of this year, Reuters reported the use of Iranian-made drones in Sudans civil war, further suggesting that regional rivalries are playing out in the Sudan war. Additionally, Sudan has sought closer ties with Russia, with experts noting Moscows reassessment of its relationships with Sudanese militias. The diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Sudan represents a critical juncture as both nations navigate complex regional dynamics and seek to strengthen their positions amid ongoing conflicts and shifting alliances.

Saeed Rad, a distinguished actor who began his significant presence in Iranian cinema in the early 1970s and starred in several key films of Irans New Wave movement, passed away on July 22 at the age of 80. In recent days, reports about his deteriorating health had been released by his family and friends. Nega Rad, his son, confirmed his fathers passing on the morning of Monday, July 22.

Hooshang Golmakani, editor of the Film monthly magazine, mentioned on July 21 that he had visited Rad at a nursing home some time ago, where he remained bedridden. Golmakani noted, The Saeed Rad I saw that day on the bed bore no resemblance to the man we remember from even recent years.

Born on October 26, 1944, in the Sanglaj neighborhood of Tehran, Ahmed Saeed Haghpour Rad had his first cinematic appearance as an extra in the film The Conquerors of the Desert. His first major role came in Amir Naderis Goodbye Friend.

Rads notable performances include roles in Kamran Shirdels The Morning of the Fourth Day and Amir Naderis The Imperative. His character Ali Khoshdast in The Imperative, accompanied by Fereydoon Foroughis song Dadares, remains one of the most memorable roles in Iranian cinematic history. This film was a significant work of the New Wave cinema and a standout example of pre-revolution street films, a genre popularized by directors like Naderi and Fereydoon Goleh. Rad also collaborated with renowned directors such as Masoud Kimiai in The Stone Journey and The Red Line, and Nasser Taghvai in The Dead End.

Having quickly risen to stardom, Rad appeared in over 30 films within less than a decade, most of which were part of commercial cinema. After the revolution, Rad starred in films such as Dadshah and The Purgatory, but his career faced a major setback when he was banned from acting after his role in the blockbuster The Eagles, directed by Samuel Khachikian in 1984, which is considered by some to be the highest-grossing film in Iranian cinema history. Following this, Rad emigrated from Iran.

Returning to Iran after 15 years in 1999, Rad starred in Ahmad Reza Darvishs film Duel. He received the Best Actor Honorary Diploma for his role in The Receiver at the 2011 Fajr Film Festival.

Rad continued to work in cinema, television, and home video, with his most significant role in the 2010s being in Ebrahim Hatamikias Che, where he portrayed Valiollah Fallahi, the commander of the Islamic Republics ground forces in the early years following the revolution.

In 2014, during the opening ceremony of the 32nd Fajr Film Festival, Rad reminisced about pre-revolution actors such as Mohammad Ali Fardin and Behrouz Vossoughi. His comments provoked anger from media outlets and officials opposed to the then-administration, leading to Hojatollah Ayoubi, the head of the Cinema Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance at the time, publicly stating that honoring pre-revolution actors was not the official stance of the Ministry.

Saeed Rad, who had a career spanning over four decades in Iranian cinema, ultimately passed away approximately 24 hours after his family provided an update on his health. The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) extends its condolences to Mr. Rads family and friends, as well as to all those who have enjoyed his remarkable performances in Iranian cinema over the years.

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Khamenei Urges Cooperation Between New Government and Parliament, Iranian Parliament Session Turns Chaotic Over Effort to Remove Internet Censorship,...

In Venezuela, restrictions and self-censorship limit coverage of opposition ahead of election  Committee to Protect Journalists

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In Venezuela, restrictions and self-censorship limit coverage of opposition ahead of election - Committee to Protect Journalists

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This week, I point to Democrats dual tasks in the campaign, pick the distinguished person of the week and share some sports moments.

The more we as a society bow to the pressure and self-censor the dream of autocrats is for you to silence yourself, doing their job for them the more arrogant and lawless the enemies of democracy will become, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a leading expert on fascism, warned on X. It is an important service to the American people to continue to call out the policies relating to Project 2025 that will impact their lives in a negative manner if the Republicans regain the [White House]. And it is a service to the democratic world as a whole to be clear on the consequences of America becoming an authoritarian country allied with Putin and other dictators, she said in a separate post.

During his interview on Monday with NBC Newss Lester Holt, President Biden said much the same thing. Focus on what hes doing. Focus on on his on his policies. Focus on the number of lies he told in the debate, he said. When Holt continued to needle Biden for saying bulls eye, Biden responded: How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything cause it may incite somebody?

Both Ben-Ghiat and Biden hit upon a critical point in combating authoritarian ideas and politicians who undermine democratic norms. The pro-democracy message must not be diluted. The choice of words should be precise (threat to democracy). The admonition to resolve differences at the ballot box must be stressed, but the intensity of the argument against authoritarianism cannot let up.

To turn down the temperature, as Margaret Sullivan wrote in the Guardian, shouldnt mean silencing criticism of [Donald] Trump in this extremely consequential election season. It shouldnt mean transforming him into some mythic combination of martyr and hero. And it certainly shouldnt mean that he gets a pass a literal get-out-of-jail-free card for his innumerable past misdeeds.

Democrats, however, cannot prevail solely by pointing to Trumps flaws and the danger of MAGA extremism or even to Bidens record of accomplishment. Democrats need a strategic plan for turning around the campaign in swing states. So far, Trumps unfitness, Bidens legislative record, millions in ad buys and the remarkably strong economy have not done the trick. Insisting that Biden needs to repeat the same message but more loudly! has not assuaged nervous Democrats on the Hill or many activists. Nor should it.

Democrats are not a cult. They want facts and data. How does the Biden campaign plan to turn around swing-state voters? Plainly, the campaign has not provided it.

The result: a planned early roll call vote to nominate Biden was pushed back to August, and prominent Democrats such as Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.) continue to call for Biden to step aside. Plainly, Biden still has some convincing to do. (His public performances seem not to have done the trick. A strong NAACP speech was followed by an interview on BET that was weaker than his Holt interview.)

Is there a way to shake up the race with Biden still at the top of the ticket? One approach would be to focus much more intently on Project 2025, which would undermine professional government, politicize the judiciary, deal a blow to Medicaid, abrogate civil rights, undermine voting rights, render the tax code even more regressive, eliminate Head Start, raise drug prices, recall abortion drugs and largely erase the separation of church (Christian fundamentalism, in particular) and state. If the campaign shifts from Biden-Harris vs. Trump-Vance to democracy vs. right-wing authoritarianism, pushes that message intently in critical states, and provides voters with concrete examples of the harm that would flow from the 2025 game plan, perhaps Democrats would feel more hopeful.

Another option (not that these are mutually exclusive messages) is to run against the out-of-control Supreme Court. President Biden is finalizing plans to endorse major changes to the Supreme Court in the coming weeks, including proposals for legislation to establish term limits for the justices and an enforceable ethics code, according to two people briefed on the plans, The Post reports. He is also weighing whether to call for a constitutional amendment to eliminate broad immunity for presidents and other constitutional officeholders, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. Given that the Supreme Courts standing has dropped to new lows and more than 3 in 4 Americans want term limits, according to a Fox News poll, such proposals would be very popular across the ideological spectrum. To make a difference, Biden would need to argue emphatically that the court is as much a threat to our constitutional system as his opponent. Fixing the court through legislation and/or a constitutional amendment would then be front and center.

In sum, the Biden team must show it can get off the back foot and effectively drive their message in swing states. If Democrats are not convinced he has such a plan and can sell it, they have an obligation to level with the president and push for a change at the top of the ticket. Our democracy might hinge on it.

Rarely does a politician so perfectly model the behavior he is advocating for as did Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro following the assassination attempt on Trump last Saturday. Not only did Shapiro speak calmly and stick to the facts, but also, more importantly, he lauded a fellow human being whose politics were radically opposed to his own.

We lost a fellow Pennsylvanian last night: Corey Comperatore, Shapiro said at a news conference. Corey was a girl dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. And most especially, Corey loved his family. He added, Corey died a hero. ... Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.

Shapiro recognized Comperatore as someone excited by politics; however, Shapiro refused to reduce or define Comperatore by political labels. In celebrating a citizens vigorous participation in a campaign rally of someone whose politics he deeply objects to, Shapiro embodied the spirit of the First Amendment, an essential part of our democracy. And Shapiro, thereby, showed the very best of us.

Professional sports is generally a young persons game. And last weekend, we saw a changing of the guard in two different sports. In the Copa Amrica soccer finals, 37-year-old Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, battered and bruised, had to leave the field with the score tied 0-0. He broke down sobbing, unable to lead his teammates to yet another championship. His team pulled out a 1-0 victory, turning his sorrow into joy.

His early exit from the field was a poignant reminder that he might have finished his career for his national team. Those in attendance might be able to boast they saw his last game in a blue-and-white-striped jersey. In the future, Messis teammates at some point must carry on entirely without his presence on the field.

Meanwhile, at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic, also 37 years old and holder of more Grand Slam singles titles than any other mens player, met someone who might one day top that record. Without dropping a set, Carlos Alcaraz, just 21, swiftly dispensed with Djokovic. Alcaraz modestly said he was not yet a champion in the same league as Djokovic or other greats such as Roger Federer. Yet is the operative word. He already has four Grand Slams to his name. Djokovic, a famously prickly personality, is often not the crowd favorite (especially this year), but during the match, he periodically recognized Alcarazs remarkable shot-making. At the end, he handled the loss with equanimity.

The two championships were a reminder that even illustrious, enduring careers come to an end, leaving the aging champion a shadow of his former self. We should enjoy the greats while we have them. Such athletes are far and few between.

Every other Wednesday at noon, I host a Q&A with readers. Submit a question for the next one.

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Opinion | Democrats must not self-censor. But they also need a plan to win. - The Washington Post

The report linked below was recently published by the Law Library of Congress.

Title

Book and Media Censorship in Selected Countries

Source

The Law Library of Congress, Global Legal Research Directorate, 2024.

From the Introduction

Freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and freedom of the arts are well-known concepts in United States law. The following report provides brief overviews of the treatment of these concepts, with a lens on book and media bans, in 22 different countries. The report covers the primary laws related to censorship, and when available or relevant, includes notable cases and other instances of book or media censorship.

Countries were chosen to represent major regions of the world and include countries from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Brazil, China, Cuba, Germany, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, The Gambia, Georgia, Israel, India, Kenya, Liberia, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Malawi, Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Vietnam are included in the study. This selection was based on a finding that these jurisdictions had laws aimed at censorship or expression based on historical, cultural, and political traditions.

Each country has either constitutional or legislative protections in place for freedom of speech, however, many of the surveyed countries also have legislation to regulate matters such as obscenity and incitement. Most countries also contain exceptions for censorship of materials. In some countries, censorship is targeted more toward materials that may fall into the hands of children. Countries such as Malawi and Trinidad and Tobago limit materials that may be targeted toward children. Some countries have restrictions based on national security concerns, such as Israel, Russia, and Uzbekistan. Some countries have restrictions based on language that speaks against the government. China, Cuba, Egypt, and Vietnam have laws with provisions against materials that could be construed as critical of the government. Egypt also has laws pertaining to materials that are adverse to Islam, Christianity, or Judaism. Some countries have more severe criminal penalties for distribution of materials. In The Gambia, trafficking in obscene publications is a felony criminal act. Some countries have seen recent changes in law regarding censorship and media bans. In India, old British colonial laws regarding censorship were replaced by provisions in recently enacted criminal procedure and penal codes, and in France, laws that totally prohibit certain books or media have been repealed, although courts can restrict the distribution of a book on a case-bycase basis if it is deemed contrary to French law.

This report was prepared in time-limited circumstances and should not be considered a comprehensive treatment of this topic for these jurisdictions. Additional relevant information is available in prior Law Library multijurisdictional reports.

Direct to Full Text Report 32 pages; PDF.

Filed under: Libraries, News, Reports

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New Report From Law Library of Congress: Book and Media Censorship in Selected Countries - LJ INFOdocket

The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) announces the launch of a new resource, Art Censorship Index: Post-October 7th, documenting the recent spike in censorship of art and artists invoking Israel or Palestine.

Artworks and artists referencing the subject of Israel and Palestine have long been subjects of controversy and/or censorship, but following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent retaliation in Gaza, arts censorship incidents have risen dramatically. This new map tracks instances of censorship specifically affecting audience access to the arts in the United States, whether visual, performance-based, or literary.

Our cultural sphere is at its richest when artists and cultural institutions are able to reflect upon challenging social and political issues of our time, said Elizabeth Larison, Director of NCACs Arts and Culture Advocacy Program. By documenting these instances of art censorship, we hope to inspire greater accountability and dialogue within the artistic community and beyond.

Through this initiative, NCAC aims to raise awareness of this most recent trend of art censorship, advocate for the protection of artistic freedom, and empower individuals and organizations to identify and resist censorship efforts.

The map will be continually updated with relevant art censorship cases as they arise, providing a real-time resource for researchers, journalists, activists, and policymakers interested in understanding and addressing this pressing issue.

The NCAC invites artists, cultural workers, and the general public to explore the map, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about artistic freedom and censorship.

The Index can be found at: https://ncac.org/art-censorship-index-post-october-7th

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National Coalition Against Censorship Launches Map Tracking Art Censorship Since October 7th - Blogging Censorship