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]

Zaman newspaper: Seized Turkish daily newspaper ‘now pro-government’
Turkey’s biggest newspaper, Zaman, has published an edition carrying pro-government articles, two days after being taken over by authorities. BBC NEWS

French parliament votes to penalize smartphone makers over encryption
French parliamentary deputies, defying government wishes, have voted in favour of penalising smartphone makers which fail to cooperate in terrorism inquiries, entering a controversy that has pitted the FBI against Apple in the United States. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

British businessman faces cybercrime charges in the United Arab Emirates
A British national imprisoned two years ago in the United Arab Emirates is facing new charges relating to tweets about his former employers’ with whom he is in a business dispute. HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

South Korea government accused of using defamation laws to silence critics
The South Korean Constitution guarantees freedom of expression. But defamation laws carry penalties that include prison — up to three years for comments that are true and up to seven for statements considered false — if they are deemed not in the public interest. Critics say the distinction is vague and opens the door to abuse by prosecutors. NEW YORK TIMES

Facebook’s new ‘angry’ emoji has become a powerful weapon for Hong Kong activists
Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have found a powerful weapon for attacking leaders they claim are in Beijing’s pocket: Facebook’s new “angry” emoji. PRI

The Ossietzky Prize awarded to Edward Snowden
The Norwegian branch of PEN International has awarded its annual Ossietzky prize to Edward Snowden and will work to ensure that he is present during the award ceremony in Oslo. The Ossietzky price is awarded for outstanding contribution to freedom of expression. THE NORDIC PAGE