PEN’s Free Expression Digest brings you a daily curated round-up of the most important free expression-related stories from around the web. Please send your feedback and suggestions to [email protected]

China releases Guo Yushan, scholar who helped activist gain asylum in U.S.
Chinese authorities on Tuesday released a founder of a research institute who helped the legal activist Chen Guangcheng gain asylum in the U.S. after he escaped house arrest. Both men have been accused of illegally printing books and other publications, charges that remain in effect while they are free on bail. NEW YORK TIMES

Mozambique court acquits two accused of libeling ex-president
A Mozambican court cleared a local economist and a journalist of libeling former president Armando Guebuza through a Facebook comment in 2013. Carlos Nuno Castel-Branco and Fernando Mbanze, editor of a paper which re-published Castel-Branco’s Facebook commentary, were acquitted by a judge in the gas-rich country. BLOOMBERG NEWS

After more than two years in jail, Egyptian photojournalist Shawkan’s first hearing set for Dec. 12
The first court session of photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, known as Shawkan, has been scheduled for Dec. 12. Shawkan was covering the Rabaa Mosque sit-in dispersal when he was arrested, and has been jailed for over two years, the maximum for pretrial detention in Egypt. THE CAIRO POST

Pakistan press freedom under pressure from army
At a time of intense pressure on the media to cooperate with an army public relations campaign that is burnishing the image of General Sharif, channels routinely edit out or drop the sound on the mildest criticism of the military. THE GUARDIAN

Newly freed Thai journalist forced to quit newspaper
A Thai journalist freed from detention by the government has resigned under pressure from his newspaper, pressure he indicated came from both within and outside its publishing group. Pravit Rojanaphruk said he agreed to quit because he considered the paper to be like his home, which he didn’t wish to destroy. WASHINGTON POST

Popular Nigerian blogger granted bail after three failed attempts
Chris Kehinde Nwandu, until his release, was being held as an accomplice in a case of defamation of character against the CEO of Fidelity Bank of Nigeria, Nnamdi Okonkwo. THIS DAY LIVE

Obama promotes free speech on college campuses
During a town hall meeting in Des Moines, IA, President Obama remarked at length about the crucial role that free speech plays in a college education. CAMPUS NEWS

Cameroonian authorities confuse journalism with spying
Two journalists, investigative reporter Simon Ateba and Radio France Internationale correspondent Ahmed Abba, are being held illegally by the Cameroonian authorities, who claim that their journalistic work constituted spying. REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS

Joint call to United Nations to help imprisoned poet
Sixteen non-governmental organizations have sent a joint letter to UN Special Rapporteurs on the imprisoned Qatari poet Mohammed al-Ajami. Al-Ajami is a prisoner of conscience currently serving a 15-year sentence in Qatar for “inciting to overthrow the ruling system” through his poetry. ARTS FREEDOM

Interview: Judy Blume and her battle against the bans
Author Judy Blume talks about parents’ and teachers’ overly protective attitudes to young peoples’ feelings, and how she has spent the last 45 years tackling bans and censorship. INDEX ON CENSORSHIP