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China cracks down on news reports spread via social media
After negative reports about China have emerged on social media, China’s Cyberspace Administration has stated that it will punish all news sources that republish the online content as news, in another attempt to restrict the flow of information online. NEW YORK TIMES

Another SABC journalist in hot water for speaking out
SABC has charged TV journalist Lukhanyo Calata with contravening its rules after he publicly spoke out about the “disturbing direction” taken by the public broadcaster. He also picketed outside the SABC’s office on Friday against censorship and the undermining of editorial ethics. EYEWITNESS NEWS

Maldives court order threatens closure of media group
A court in the Maldives has barred a group of journalists from working for their newly formed media organization, Mihaaru, for two years. Three other media outlets have been forced to close over the past six months in an assault against media freedom in the archipelago nation. ABC NEWS

Leading Iranian artist banned from travelling to London
Leading Iranian writer and artist Parviz Tanavoli was unable to attend a talks at the British Museum and Asia House in London after his passport was confiscated by the Iranian authorities for reasons unknown. THE ART NEWSPAPER

Madras HC delivers major victory to freedom of speech
Perumal Murugan was forced to withdraw his book last year when influential community cohorts in Tamil Nadu took offence. Now the court has ruled the verdict illegal, allowing Murugan’s book to be published, and seeking protection for writers under these circumstances. INDIA TODAY

Dystopian Ukraine novel, written on Facebook during protests, gets English translation
A book that the Ukrainian writer Oleh Shynkarenko published in chunks on Facebook during the Maidan square protests in order to avoid censorship has been translated into English for the first time. THE GUARDIAN