Free Expression Daily Digest: Thurs., Mar 10

PEN’s Free Expression Digest brings you a daily curated round-up of the most important free expression-related stories from around the web. Subscribe here. *This mailing list is currently in BETA as we work out the kinks. Please send your feedback and suggestions to [email protected]

Journalists and activists beaten and bus torched on Chechnya tour
A minibus carrying journalists and human rights activists on a tour of Russia’s Northern Caucasus region has been attacked by a group of masked men as it approached Chechnya. THE GUARDIAN

Turkish journalist sentenced for insulting Erdogan while on trial
In a continuation of its crackdown on freedom of expression, Turkey has sentenced the former editor of the left-leaning Birgun newspaper to 21 months in prison for “insulting” President Erdogan while submitting a plea in an ongoing case. RT

Syrian journalist in Turkey injured in ambush
A Syrian journalist has escaped an assault in Turkey, months after his journalist brother and a colleague were killed in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Free-speech groups urge McAuliffe to veto book bill
Free-speech groups are calling on Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to veto a bill that would force schools to notify parents if their child is assigned to read books with sexually explicit content.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

Former Film Federation of India chief seeks revamp of censor board
A senior film producer in India has suggested a single regulatory authority for films, social media and Youtube. Adi Seshagiri Rao, former president of the Film Federation of India, has also demanded that censorship be done away for film trailers. THE TIMES OF INDIA

China’s propaganda authorities have list of ‘forbidden topics’ for Two Sessions
China’s propaganda authorities appear to have a list of forbidden news topics they reportedly issued that leaked to a WeChat account. The list is for a meeting between The National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing for annual event called two sessions.
THE NEW YORK TIMES