Censorship

South African artist Gabrielle Goliath presented her installation Elegy as an independent exhibit in Venice this week, after Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie blocked its selection as the national entry.

8 Mwezi wa nne, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Employees at a state warehouse in Havana's Nuevo Vedado have covered a fence with sacks to stop neighbors from photographing a large garbage pile next to a bust of Jose Marti and the Cuban flag. Journalist Yoani Sanchez of 14ymedio reports the waste accumulates weekly near the facility supplying rationed market goods. The action aims to prevent images from spreading on social media and WhatsApp.

From 2020 to 2024, the Defence Ministry cleared 35 books by retired military personnel, but former Army chief General M M Naravane's memoir Four Stars of Destiny stands alone as pending. The book, cited by Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in his criticism of the government, highlights unusual delays in the approval process. An RTI response reveals this outlier amid rising submissions.

3 Mwezi wa pili, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Developer AdHoc Studio has confirmed there is no possibility of releasing an uncensored physical version of its game Dispatch on Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. The announcement follows fan backlash over default censorship on the platforms. While a digital update to reduce some censorship is in the works, physical options remain limited.

A digital rights group has debunked rumors that Venezuela's ban on X has been lifted. Despite Nicolas Maduro's recent capture, there have been no meaningful changes to the country's internet censorship practices. Venezuelans continue to rely on VPNs to access the platform.

15 Mwezi wa kwanza, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie defended cancelling Gabrielle Goliath’s artwork for the 2026 Venice Biennale as protection against a foreign power pushing a Gaza agenda. Evidence indicates Qatar Museums had withdrawn interest in funding before McKenzie’s intervention on 22 December. The move has raised concerns over censorship in South Africa’s arts sector.