The White House cancels multiple open press events, citing lack of space – and allowing the president to avoid reporters’ questions. Congress tells Trump to save his tweets or be in violation of federal-record keeping laws. And, WikiLeaks claims it will share CIA cyberspying techniques gleamed from classified documents with tech companies. -Dru Menaker, Chief Operating Officer

DARE: Daily Alert on Rights and Expression

PEN America’s take on today’s most pressing threats to free expression

U.S.

White House cancels open press events by Trump
President Trump has canceled multiple open press events this week, opting not to let reporters into the room to ask questions, which has allowed him to avoid questions about a litany of issues.
CNN

New York Art Scene Anxiously Waits for Decision on N.E.A.’s Fate
The New York City artistic community is suddenly vulnerable to budget cuts in Washington, where the administration of President Trump is considering eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

WikiLeaks offers CIA hacking tools to tech companies
Wikileaks will provide technology companies with exclusive access to CIA hacking tools that it possesses so they can patch software flaws, presenting Silicon Valley with a potential dilemma on how to deal with the anti-secrecy group.
REUTERS

Congress Warns Donald Trump: Stop Deleting Your Tweets
When Trump or a member of his staff deletes a tweet, they may be violating federal law, two top congressmen warned the White House this week. One example the lawmakers cited is Trump’s habit of misspelling and then deleting tweets.
THE HUFFINGTON POST

Spicer attacks ‘double standard’ in response to WikiLeaks dump
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Wednesday cast aside the playbook of cut-and-dry condemnations of national security leaks and instead framed his response along political lines.
CNN

 
Global

Palestinian Journalist Held by Israel to End Hunger Strike After Deal
Palestinian journalist Mohammad Al-Qiq agreed to end his month-long hunger strike starting Friday, following an agreement with Israel over his early release later this month. The hunger strike lasted a little over a month.
HAARETZ

Editor Thomas Nilsen is declared unwanted in Russia by Border Guards
When Thomas Nilsen on Wednesday afternoon arrived in Borisoglebsk, the border-crossing point between Russia and Norway, he was quickly taken aside by Federal Security Service border guards and told he was undesirable in Russia.
THE INDEPENDENT BARENTS OBSERVER

Twitter Troll Bots Threaten Mexican Journalists and Activists
Automated Twitter troll bots posting derogatory messages are threatening protesters in Mexico. Despite the numerous examples of journalists and activists harassed and threatened, the social media platform has yet to confront the problem.
TELESUR

Press freedom groups condemn charges against N.L. journalist over Muskrat Falls protest
A Newfoundland and Labrador online publication says one of its reporters has been charged with mischief exceeding $5,000 and disobeying a court injunction in connection with last fall’s occupation of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.
CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Our laws do not do enough to protect the right to free speech
Both the right to free expression and the right to protect your good name are enshrined in the Constitution, but it has long been argued Irish law is over-protective of the right to a good name and under-protective of the right to free speech.
IRISH INDEPENDENT

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