I enjoyed the Book of Mormon musical. Now for the Book of Islam?
The Mormons reacted brilliantly to the musical satirising their faith, but something important is lost when we treat religions so differently - writes Katie Engelhart.
Jesus Christ Superstar? Not in Rostov, Russia
The Russian parliament’s vote in support of a declaration against acts offending religious sentiments is symptomatic of worrying trends, write Olga Shvarova and Dominic Burbidge.
Child pornography and freedom of expression
Did the European Court of Human Rights wrongly considered the distribution of child pornography to be an exercise of freedom of expression in the case Karttunen v. Finland, asks Rónán Ó Fathaigh.
Is the European Court of Human Rights merely defending the uncontroversial?
A famous case of state censorship in Austria highlights the tendency of governments to pander to the majority, leaving controversial views unprotected. By Michele Finck.
The writer and the state
The relationship between writers and the state is complex, multifaceted and changing. At the Jaipur Literature Festival 2013 a panel of experts explores some of the issues faced by writers around the world.
Can theatre talk about this?
How a dance theatre production addresses issues of free speech, Islam and multiculturalism. Lloyd Newson, creator of 'Can we talk about this?', speaks to Maryam Omidi.
You can’t be serious!
The birthplace of western homo-erotica cuts a gay kiss from TV, writes Judith Bruhn.
Egypt’s one-way traffic in books
Historian Khaled Fahmy describes how historic Egyptian books are more easily found in Western than in Egyptian libraries - and how a scholarly history of the Middle East was recently banned from entering Egypt.
Katalin Barsony on empowering Roma with technology
Romedia Foundation aims to disseminate an insider's view of Romani issues, empower Romani activists and challenge stereotypes through new media.
Jytte Klausen on Yale University and the Danish cartoons
Professor Jytte Klausen analyses and criticises Yale University Press's decision to remove images of Muhammad from her scholarly book on the Danish cartoons controversy.
Shoot the Boer: hate music?
In 2011, a South African court banned the anti-apartheid song "Shoot the Boer" after ruling it hate speech, writes Nimi Hoffmann.
Zuma and his spear
A South African art gallery removed an explicit painting of President Jacob Zuma after pressure from the African National Congress, write Nimi Hoffmann and Maryam Omidi.
On free speech: The fine art of activism
The third episode of the On Free Speech podcast features exclusive interviews with filmmaker Nick Sturdee on the Russian art collective Voina and stand-up comedian Tom Greeves on the UK's parody laws.
The Piss Christ
Since its creation in 1987, Artist Andres Serrano's Piss Christ, a plastic crucifix in a jar of urine, has divided opinion. In April 2011, the artwork was irreparably damaged by vandals at the Collection Lambert art museum. Katie Engelhart considers whether it was right for the museum to have exhibited the work.
