Breaking Through: How Citizens Are Fighting Modern Authoritarian Censorship

September 18, 2025
09:30 am – 11:00 am

About the Event

From China to Iran to Nicaragua and beyond, free expression is under attack. Over the past decade, the world’s dictators have aggressively upgraded their efforts to quash critical speech and halt the free exchange of ideas. Bolstered by high-tech tools and “sharp power” tactics that reach across borders, modern authoritarian censorship challenges the future of freedom not only in dictatorships, but around the globe.

Amid this authoritarian offensive, the National Endowment for Democracy stands with the civic leaders who are pushing back. This public forum is an opportunity to learn firsthand from frontline advocates for freedom about the evolving challenge of modern authoritarian censorship, as well as the creative strategies—from research and advocacy to innovative technological workarounds—that are helping independent voices break through. We will also explore how the pro-democratic community can further raise its game to defend free speech and meet the global challenge from networked autocrats.

Join the discussion virtually here, or email Grayson Lewis (graysonl@ned.org) to request in-person attendance. Please note that due to limited capacity, in-person participation will be confirmed by our team.

Following the event, in-person participants will be able to participate in a Q&A with the panelists.

Speakers

Damon Wilson, Opening Remarks
President and CEO, National Endowment for Democracy

Juan Lorenzo Holmann, panelist
General Manager, La Prensa

Evan Firoozi, panelist
Executive Director, NetFreedom Pioneers

Lhadon Tethong, panelist
Co-Founder and Director, Tibet Action Institute

Juan Zarate, moderator
Board Treasurer, National Endowment for Democracy

details

DATE: Thursday, September 18

TIME: 9:30 am – 11:00 am

Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, September 18, 2025

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