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Michigan Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis praises Indianapolis Star’s 2016 investigation into sexual abuse at USA Gymnastics, noting the role their reporting played in the prosecution of perpetrators and resignation of enablers. Investigation by BuzzFeed News identifies more than 1,700 Twitter accounts blocked in at least one country, providing a glimpse into the social media platform’s collaboration with national groups and governments, including authoritarian ones. Unexpected advocates for free expression issues emerge, from Burger King demonstrating the importance of net neutrality to Pope Francis decrying fraudulent news. -Anoosh Gasparian, External Relations Coordinator

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

U.S.

Prosecutor in Larry Nassar case thanks journalists for uncovering sexual abuse
Before USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting more than 140 young women, Michigan state Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis honored the role of investigative reporting, which she said “finally started this reckoning and ended this decades-long cycle of abuse.”
HUFFINGTON POST

An inside look at the accounts Twitter has censored in countries around the world
BuzzFeed News’ data and analysis offer an unprecedented glimpse into Twitter’s collaboration with national groups and governments—democratic and authoritarian alike—and provide a stark reminder of Twitter’s ability to shape political conversations, and of governments’ attempts to influence that process.
BUZZFEED NEWS

Burger King makes pro-net neutrality video
Burger King is blasting the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to scrap net neutrality rules in a new ad, using its signature sandwich to do it. The video illustrates what it would be like if its restaurants implemented a policy of “Whopper neutrality,” in which customers had to pay more to receive their burger faster.
THE HILL

 
Global

Kremlin denies censorship after ‘Death of Stalin’ pulled from cinemas
The Kremlin said Russia’s Culture Ministry did not exercise censorship when it revoked the screening license of a satire on the death of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. The distribution license for “The Death of Stalin” was revoked over “ideological animosity,” two days ahead of its nationwide release, sparking a public outcry.
THE MOSCOW TIMES

What is an imprisoned journalist worth? For Turkey, it might be a German arms purchase.
Along with increased pressure from unfriendly governments, there are parts of the world where journalists are literally becoming a hot commodity. According to German magazine Der Spiegel, Berlin is considering allowing Ankara to make a previously prohibited arms purchase from a German firm in exchange for the release of journalist Deniz Yucel.
THE WASHINGTON POST

For Pope Francis, fake news goes back to the Garden of Eden
Pope Francis offered a largely cleareyed assessment of fake news, though at times he conflated it with a style of journalism he dislikes.
NEW YORK TIMES

Myanmar government begins probe of Mrauk U killings
A Myanmar government investigation team has begun a probe into killings that occurred in western Myanmar’s volatile Rakhine state when police opened fire on a crowd of protesters demonstrating against a government ban on a Buddhist celebration.
RADIO FREE ASIA

China bans hip-hop culture and tattoos from all media sources
China has banned references to hip-hop culture and actors with tattoos from appearing in the media as part of a crackdown on “low taste content.”
THE INDEPENDENT

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