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]

Free Expression Daily Digest: Tues., Feb 9

PEN’s Free Expression Digest brings you a daily curated round-up of the most important free expression-related stories from around the web. Please send your feedback and suggestions to [email protected]

Japanese Communications Minister warns government can suspend broadcasters
Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government can order broadcasters to suspend operations if they continue to air TV programming that is deemed to be politically biased. THE JAPAN TIMES

UK lawmakers criticize surveillance bill over privacy concerns
A committee of British lawmakers say a planned British law to give spies and police wide-ranging new surveillance powers is rushed. They claim the law does not do enough to protect people’s privacy and requires major change. REUTERS

Amal Clooney to take on case of jailed journalist Khadija Ismayilova
After defending Al-Jazeera journalists in Egypt, the international human rights lawyer announced that she is taking on the case of jailed journalist Khadija Ismayilova *PEN Case List. Ismayilova has been in prison for over a year on what she claims are fabricated charges. UN DISPATCH

China censors Tibet artwork at Bangladesh fair
The organizers of the Dhaka Art Summit have covered up a photographic exhibit that focuses on Tibetan’s fight for freedom, after the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh “exploded” after seeing photographed letters written by Tibetans before they self-immolated in protest of Beijing’s strict rule of the region. QUARTZ

Members of the European Parliament raise blogger Badawi’s case during Saudi visit 
Members of the European Parliament on a visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday raised the case of jailed blogger Raif Badawi *PEN Case List, winner of the Sakharov human rights prize. Badwi’s sentence of 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison has generated worldwide concern. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

NASA accused of ‘censoring’ its Christian employees
The Liberty Institute, which is representing Christian employees, threatened Monday to sue NASA over what it claims is religious discrimination. At issue is whether a praise and worship club should be allowed to use the name “Jesus” in NASA’s employee newsletter. THE HILL

Jailed Oregon occupation leader calls for elected officials’ support for free speech
The jailed leader of the occupation of a U.S. wildlife refuge in Oregon, in a statement released on Monday, called on elected officials from mostly Western states to voice support for free speech and civil disobedience, and to visit their constituents in federal custody. REUTERS