The Guardian

Writers festival requires ‘complete self-censorship’ over Gaza war, academic says, as speakers withdraw in protest


Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah among those to boycott Bendigo Writers festival, saying she cannot appear ‘as a Palestinian’ due to speaker code

A number of authors and academics have withdrawn from this weekend’s Bendigo Writers festival over a speaker code that one says requires “complete self-censorship” over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Academic and author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, First Nations poet Dr Evelyn Araluen and Wiradjuri writer and poet Jeanine Leane are among those who have withdrawn from the festival over the code.

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Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/14/writers-festival-requires-complete-self-censorship-over-gaza-war-academic-says-as-speakers-withdraw-in-protest

Author : Adeshola Ore Community affairs reporter

Publish date : 2025-08-14 07:29:00

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