Utah School District Yanks 52 Books and Flags Another 32 for Later Review

Alpine School District of Utah (the largest in the state, with 84,000 students) has pulled 52 books off its library shelves after parents complained that the titles—which largely focus on the LGBTQ community—are inappropriate for children. It is the latest Utah front in a national culture war that has centered on literature and affected several school districts throughout the state, where conservative parents are claiming the books should be banned because they contain pornography.  First Amendment advocates are speaking out, saying it is a violation to remove the books—especially when many of the titles are about historically marginalized groups. Read PEN America’s statement.

Lies for profit: Can Sandy Hook parents shut Alex Jones down?
When viral lies harm private people, are the courts their best refuge? A trial to decide how much the conspiracy broadcaster Alex Jones must pay for defaming Sandy Hook parents Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis attempts to answer that question. More important than money, the parents said, is society’s verdict on a culture in which viral misinformation damages lives and destroys reputations, yet those who spread it are seldom held accountable.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

RAP Act introduced in House would ban lyrics from being used as evidence in criminal cases
A new piece of legislation, the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (or “RAP Act”), that was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday would ban the use of lyrics from being used as evidence in legal claims. Similar legislation, the “Rap Music on Trial” bill, which was supported by PEN America, was passed in New York in May. 
CNN

A journalist was told her skirt was too short to report on an execution 
Ivana Hrynkiw Shatara, a reporter for AL.com, was one of two female reporters covering the execution at an Alabama prison last week who were questioned over their clothing.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

A leading journalist is arrested in Guatemala
In another sign of growing political repression in Guatemala, the authorities have arrested an award-winning journalist who was critical of the government and raided the offices of the newspaper he founded. José Rubén Zamora, president of the elPeriódico newspaper, was arrested at his home in Guatemala City on Friday night on charges including possible money laundering, blackmail and influence peddling. Read PEN America’s statement.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

Man with AK-47 arrested outside Iranian writer's Brooklyn home a year after kidnapping threat
A man arrested with a loaded AK-47 assault rifle outside the Brooklyn home of outspoken Iranian writer Masih Alinejad is due in federal court Monday amid questions about his intent. Alinejad was targeted last year in a kidnapping plot allegedly organized by Iranian nationals, according to the Department of Justice. 
ABC NEWS

Russian writer Shenderovich fined for not complying with foreign-agent status
Well-known Russian writer Viktor Shenderovich, who is currently living outside of Russia, has been fined for "failing to comply with the status of a foreign agent." Pavel Chikov, the chief of the legal defense organization Agora, wrote on his Telegram channel on August 2 that the Preobrazhensky district court in the Russian capital fined Shenderovich 10,000 rubles ($160) for not marking his online posts with a "foreign-agent" label.
RFE

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