After months of religious backlash, boycott calls and a high‑profile lawsuit led by lawyer Mortada Mansour, Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court upheld the right to screen the already‑licensed feature The Atheist, reinforcing constitutional protections for artistic creativity and limiting attempts by private actors to erase controversial works from public space.
When Pomme d’amour, a satirical short film by Fares Naanaa, was re-released online in 2025, it ignited a wave of outrage over alleged blasphemy. Yet behind the public uproar lay a deeper story , one of political distraction, fear-driven self-censorship, and the rapid erosion of Tunisia’s post-revolutionary creative freedoms.
Syrian author Khalil Sweileh’s acclaimed novel The Barbarians’ Paradise faces renewed censorship more than a decade after its first Cairo publication. Authorities demanded removal of passages depicting the Syrian conflict and changes to the text, which Sweileh refused. This episode underscores the persistent control over artistic expression in Syria and highlights the limited space for writers to challenge official narratives.
When a Basra fashion show celebrating cultural heritage sparked armed threats, it revealed how non-state actors now dictate Iraq’s moral and creative boundaries. The case exposes the deepening crisis of artistic freedom in a society struggling to reclaim its cultural voice.
When the Saudi historical drama Muawiya aired during Ramadan 2025, it ignited religious and political tensions in Egypt. Al‑Azhar issued a fatwa prohibiting its viewing, citing the portrayal of Prophet Muhammad’s companions as impermissible. Despite bans on local TV, the series remained accessible online, highlighting the clash between traditional censorship, sectarian sensitivities, and digital media’s reach in shaping historical narratives across the Arab world.
On 6 February 2025, Iraq’s Karkh Misdemeanor Court issued a one-year prison sentence in absentia against Iraqi singer and performer Taysir Al-Iraqiya for publishing content deemed “immoral” online. The ruling, based on vague morality provisions in Iraq’s Penal Code, reflects a broader state campaign targeting artists, influencers, and creators. The case highlights growing risks to artistic freedom, digital expression, and cultural diversity amid intensified online content policing.
The censorship of Better than Earth at the 26th Ismailia International Film Festival exposes how informal, undocumented decisions by Egyptian authorities can effectively erase a film from public view. Despite being officially selected, the film was barred through a verbal order, revealing the fragility of artistic freedom under Egypt’s censorship regime and the limited, quiet resistance available to filmmakers and festival organisers operating within state-run cultural institutions.
When journalist Naouel Bizid invited trans activist and performer Khookha McQueer to mark the 100th episode of Deep Confessions Podcast, a show about mental health became a flashpoint for Tunisia’s culture war over queer visibility and freedom of expression.
A groundbreaking Tunisian–Croatian theatre collaboration on migration drew full houses and critical praise, only to be quietly shelved by the Tunisian National Theatre without explanation.
At the 26th Ismailia International Film Festival, Mohammed Salah’s Co-directed with a Ghost won Best Film yet was barred from public screening by Egypt’s censorship authorities, exposing how opaque permit regimes quietly erase celebrated works from local audiences.
The Egyptian Musicians’ Syndicate’s investigation of singer Reda El Bahrawi after his July 2025 North Coast concert highlights the body’s growing influence over live performance in Egypt. With only vague references to unspecified “violations,” the case raises ongoing concerns about transparency, due process, and the impact of discretionary cultural regulation on artistic freedom.
Mohamed Ramadan faces a two-year prison sentence for releasing his hit “Number One, you halves” without Egypt’s required censorship permits, extending state control into music published on global platforms like YouTube. The conviction, though not yet enforced, sends a chilling signal to high-profile artists as authorities tighten oversight of digital creativity and blur the line between stardom and criminalisation.
Poet and opposition leader Chaima Issa has become a central symbol of Tunisia’s shrinking civic space. Arrested on 29 November while joining a women’s rights protest in Tunis, she is now serving a 20‑year sentence in the politically driven “Conspiracy Case” and has launched a hunger strike from Manouba Prison, turning her body into a final form of protest against President Kais Saied’s escalating repression.
Palestinian documentary filmmaker Abdallah Motan has been held in Israeli administrative detention since January 2025 without charges or trial. Known for his internationally recognized work, including Deferred Reclaim, Motan’s detention highlights the suppression of Palestinian cultural voices. Despite international calls for his release and solidarity screenings of his films, his status remains unconfirmed, raising urgent questions about freedom of expression and the rights of artists under occupation
Moroccan rapper Pause Flow is facing criminal prosecution in Sefrou over lyrics from nearly ten songs accused of insulting public officials and an organized body. After arrest and pre-trial detention, his potential release now depends on a high bail. The case has triggered national debate on artistic freedom, with fellow rappers and rights groups warning of rising pressure on critical voices in Morocco’s music scene.
In August 2025, performances of the Malas brothers’ play All Naked, and You’re Doing Fine were abruptly halted in Tartus following their public criticism of ongoing abuses. While local reports described cancelled shows and suspended workshops, the Ministry of Culture denied issuing any ban, calling it a “misunderstanding.” Performances later resumed.
The arrest of veteran Algerian journalist Saad Bouakba has reignited debate over shrinking space for free expression in Algeria. Detained after remarks on alleged historical financial misconduct linked to the FLN, Bouakba now faces charges of defamation and insulting state symbols. His case highlights the growing criminalization of dissent, the fragility of historical debate, and the mounting risks faced by journalists, artists, and commentators who challenge official narratives.
As war escalated in Gaza after October 2023, Meta’s platforms became crucial spaces for documentation and solidarity. Yet investigations and leaks suggest a vast system of digital censorship targeting Palestinian and pro-Palestinian content, allegedly in close coordination with Israeli authorities. While platforms deny political bias, artists and activists across the Arab world are now developing creative strategies to evade algorithmic suppression and preserve their narratives.
In 2025, Libya’s creative community faces unprecedented restrictions as authorities in the East and West impose strict controls over music, theater, and visual arts. Rap concerts are canceled, festivals shut down, and galleries closed, while bloggers and artists face surveillance, threats, and arbitrary detention. Human rights groups warn that these measures are driving self-censorship, exile, and the suppression of Libya’s vibrant cultural expression, raising urgent concerns about freedom of expression.
A young singer in Tangier faced legal consequences after his Eid al-Fitr performance went viral, drawing criticism for content viewed as inappropriate for minors. The Tangier Court of First Instance imposed a suspended prison sentence and a fine. The case demonstrates how social media and local public-morals laws intersect with neighborhood celebrations in Morocco.
Join the Civsy Monitoring Network
Document and analyze violations of artistic and civic rights with Civsy. Share verified reports, access real data, and promote global transparency and freedom.
I work carefully and imperceptibly below the surface when it comes to freedom of artistic expression. Deep down I stand by those who want to break it but remind them of realities above the surface. At the same time, the water becomes shallower. This is my duty as a producer.
(Faisal Kiwewa, Bayimba, Uganda.)
