Senator Ted Cruz has hailed Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now X, as a major step forward for free speech, particularly in light of growing government censorship efforts worldwide. His comments come as X faces legal challenges in Brazil, including a financial freeze on Musk’s Starlink and threats of platform suspension.
A nationwide internet slowdown in Pakistan has sparked outrage and speculation. While officials attribute the issue to a faulty submarine cable, many suspect government efforts to monitor online traffic and implement a new firewall. The situation highlights the growing tension between online freedom and government control in Pakistan.
Avani Dias, South Asia Bureau Chief for Australian broadcasting firm ABC News, claims she was forced to leave India after her visa extension was denied. However, government sources refute her claims, stating that Dias left for personal reasons. Dias alleges that she was informed her reporting had “crossed a line” and was prevented from covering the Lok Sabha elections. She also claims that her documentary on the killing of Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and her podcast “Looking for Modi” were not favorably received by the government. Despite these allegations, media reports indicate that Dias was granted a two-month visa extension before her departure. A group of foreign journalists in India has expressed concerns over Dias’ treatment and the restrictions faced by foreign journalists in the country.
