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Evidence emerges of targeted hacking campaign by Russian intelligence groups targeting conservative American think tanks. Trump threatens to revoke former intelligence official and CNN contributor Phil Mudd’s security clearance following critical television appearance. Protesters topple controversial “Silent Sam” statue on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Facebook apologizes for removing videos by right-wing non-profit group Prager University. -Anoosh Gasparian, External Relations Manager

The most pressing threats and notable goings-on in free expression today

U.S.

New Russian Hacking Targeted Republican Groups, Microsoft Says
The Russian military intelligence unit that sought to influence the 2016 election appears to have a new target: conservative American think tanks that have broken with President Trump and are seeking continued sanctions against Moscow, exposing oligarchs or pressing for human rights.
NEW YORK TIMES

Trump Threatens to Pull Clearance For CNN’s Phil Mudd After Seeing Him on TV: He’s ‘In No Mental Condition’
President Donald Trump is adding CNN contributor Phil Mudd to the list of intelligence officials who might lose their security clearance for criticizing him. Mudd, a former CIA officer, attracted a lot of attention last week over his explosive showdown with pro-Trump commentator Paris Dennard.
MEDIAITE

Protesters Pull Down Confederate Statue at University of North Carolina
The controversial “Silent Sam” statue on the campus of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill has been toppled by protesters. Students, faculty and alumni have called the statue a racist image and asked officials to remove it.
GUARDIAN

Facebook Apologizes for Blocking Prager University’s Videos
Facebook has apologized for removing several videos posted to its platform by a US right-wing non-profit group. Prager University had said some of the clips had been falsely accused of containing hate speech. The conservative organization specializes in publishing short lectures and discussions, but is not an accredited academic body.
BBC

 
Global

Reuters Journalists Face Verdict Next Week on Myanmar Secrets Charges *PEN Case List
The judge in the trial of two Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar on accusations of obtaining secret state documents said he will deliver his verdict on Aug. 27, in a case seen as a test of press freedom in the fledgling democracy.
REUTERS

Here’s Why the Bangladesh Government Made a Huge Mistake by Jailing Shahidul Alam *PEN Case List
“While the government appears determined to make an example out of Shahidul, Prime Minister Hasina would be well advised to find a way out and let him go. History teaches us that suppressing democratic aspirations by force doesn’t work in the long run.”
WASHINGTON POST

Czech Filmmakers Launch Chain Hunger Strike in Solidarity with Oleg Sentsov *PEN Case List
In support of Ukrainian director Oleg Sentsov, imprisoned for alleged terrorism in Russian-annexed Crimea, Czech filmmakers launched a chain hunger strike on Tuesday, the 100th day of Sentsov’s own such protest.
RADIO PRAGUE

UK Foreign Secretary to Call for More Sanctions on Russia During First US Visit
“The heart of any democracy is freedom of expression, which allows citizens to access independent information to help decide who to vote for,” British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will say in a speech today in his first visit to the US since taking office.
CNN

China’s Residence Card Offer Brings ‘Risks’ in Surveillance State: Taiwan
Authorities on the democratic island of Taiwan have warned that moves by Beijing to offer its citizens full residency in China will subject them to total surveillance and a controversial social credit system under a “totalitarian” regime.
RADIO FREE ASIA

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