speechwithoutborders.ngo

🌏 ****OFAC Global Magnitsky Sanctions – Russian Judge Olesya Mendeleeva

• Blocks assets & imposes visa ban on judge who jailed dissidents and silenced media critics

🇬🇪 ****Visa Bans on Georgian Officials for Protest Crackdown

• U.S. bars ~20 Georgian officials for violence and censorship tied to “foreign-influence” law protests

🌐 NetFreedom Task Force

• Coordinates U.S. policy on internet censorship—early foundation for speech-as-foreign-policy agenda

🛡️ Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act (H.R. 140)

• Bars federal officials from urging platforms to remove lawful content

🏛️ Free Speech Protection Act – House Bill (H.R. 4791)

• Extends no-pressure rule to overseas U.S. staff & contractors

💰 Internet Freedom & Global Media – FY-24/25 Budget

• Line item climbs toward $210 M (VPNs, mesh, satellite via OTF & USAGM)

🚀 OTF Multilateral Surge & Sustain Fund

• $18 M to scale VPNs & circumvention tools (Psiphon, Lantern, RostamVPN, etc.) to 46 M+ users

📑 DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement (FY 2025)

• Main State Dept grant line for censorship-circumvention tech (up to $3 M awards)

🎙️ Freedom Online Coalition Ministerial – Blinken Keynote

• Calls anti-censorship tech “an American export of strategic value”