The Australian Government has effectively blocked Chelsea Manning from giving planned public speeches in three cities by refusing to issue her with a visa in a timely fashion to visit the country.

Blueprint for Free Speech applauds the release of whistleblower and Blueprint Prize recipient Chelsea Manning on 17 May 2017. Chelsea won the Blueprint Enduring Impact Whistleblowing Prize in 2016.

Chelsea Manning, the winner of the 2016 Blueprint for Free Speech Enduring Impact Award, this week received a commutation of her 35-year sentence from outgoing US President Barack Obama.

A diverse group of individuals from six different countries were recognised for their "bravery, integrity and commitment to the public interest" in exposing workplace corruption, government wrongdoing and detriments to public safety, often at considerable personal cost.