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President Trump ordered his son-in-law Jared Kushner to be granted top-secret security clearance over objections by federal intelligence officials. First of its kind study finds online harassment of women journalists in the United States affects their job satisfaction and could have broader effects on press freedom. (See PEN America’s Online Harassment Field Manual.) New York City Council has proposes a criminal justice bill to require that all local jails provide library and book access to all incarcerated people as well as to provide records of books the Department of Correction bans from its local jails. Loyola Chicago rescinds its media relations policy that restricted faculty from speaking with the press, following pressure from civil society organizations. (See our joint letter with FIRE that PEN America sent to the university.) -Nora Benavidez, Director of U.S. Free Expression Programs

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

U.S.

Trump Ordered Officials to Give Jared Kushner a Security Clearance
President Trump ordered his chief of staff to grant his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, a top-secret security clearance last year, overruling concerns flagged by intelligence officials and the White House’s top lawyer.
NEW YORK TIMES

Seattle U: Online Harassment Impacts Press Freedom
The study, titled Online Harassment of U.S. Women Journalists, revealed that 82 percent of female journalists surveyed believe online harassment impacts press freedom, but does not scare them off the story.
KIRO 7 NEWS

Bill To Bring Libraries To NYC Jails Faces Opposition From The Correction Department
The Department of Correction, in disagreement with the librarians who work in the city’s jails, do not support a bill to bring permanent libraries to all jails in New York City. Only two of the city’s 11 jail buildings have permanent libraries.
GOTHAMIST

Loyola Chicago Updates Media Relations Policy after Letter from FIRE, PEN America
Loyola University Chicago has rescinded a controversial media relations policy that limited faculty members’ right to speak to the press and required all media requests to be sent to Loyola’s media office.
FIRE

 
Global

Imprisoned Reuters Reporter Kyaw Soe Oo Is Ill, His Wife Says *PEN Case List: Learn More
Jailed Reuters reporter Kyaw Soe Oo has fallen ill in prison. His wife, Ma Chit Su Win, told The Irrawaddy that her husband had a high temperature and appeared very weak when she visited him at Yangon’s Insein Prison on February 27.
THE IRRAWADDY

Dozen Journalists Arrested at Algiers Censorship Protest
Algerian police arrested a dozen journalists participating in a rally against alleged censorship of coverage of protests against a fifth term for veteran President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
FRANCE 24

China to Remove LGBT Scenes from Bohemian Rhapsody
At least a minute will be cut from the film in order to secure permission for it to be screened in Chinese cinemas, including scenes where Mercury (played by Rami Malek) kisses other male characters. Scenes of drug use will also be removed.
THE GUARDIAN

Huawei Invites Foreign Media to See for Itself on Spy Claims
Chinese telecom giant Huawei has issued an unusual invitation to foreign media outlets to visit its facilities and meet staff as the company pushes back against global pressure arising from U.S. accusations that it spies for Beijing.
HONG KONG FREE PRESS

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