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]

Washington Post reporter charged with trespassing, interfering with a police officer
A Washington Post reporter who was arrested at a restaurant last year while reporting on protests in Ferguson, Mo., has been charged in St. Louis County with trespassing and interfering with a police officer and ordered to appear in court. THE WASHINGTON POST

U.N. urges Thailand to amend tough law on insulting royalty
The United Nations on Tuesday denounced “shockingly” long prison terms imposed by Thailand for insulting the monarchy and urged authorities to amend the law and release those convicted. REUTERS

Netzpolitik: German treason inquiry dropped amid furor
Germany’s chief federal prosecutor has dropped an investigation into two journalists at the Netzpolitik website suspected of revealing state secrets. BBC NEWS

China censors 120 songs for promoting ‘obscenity, violence, crime’
China’s Ministry of Culture on Monday released a blacklist of 120 songs that it claims promote violence and obscenity, and ordered website owners to remove them. IB TIMES

Putrajaya must step in because Malaysians can’t practice self-discipline on the net, minister says
Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communications director Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan insisted today that the federal government is forced to step in and impose strict controls to prevent the spread of “lies” detrimental to national stability because Malaysians have no ability to check what they post on the internet.
MALAY MAIL ONLINE

The fear of censorship in Indian media
George Bernard Shaw once said that “censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions”. A recent outcry in India shows just how many fear this in Narendra Modi’s government after it accused three TV news networks of violating broadcasting regulations by airing interviews that criticised last month’s execution of Yakub Memon, the man convicted of financing the deadly 1993 Mumbai bombings. BBC NEWS

Mexico governor to be questioned over killing of photojournalist
The governor of the Mexican state of Veracruz, Javier Duarte, will be questioned over the recent murder of five people in the country’s capital, including a photojournalist, the mayor of Mexico City said on Monday. REUTERS