“No journalists left in Swat valley”

Asia News International has reported there are now no remaining media in Pakistan’s volatile Swat region. Read more here

Eady rules against Singh in chiropractic defamation case

The English High Court has ruled that science writer Simon Singh, must show that the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) was deliberately dishonest in promoting chiropractic as a treatment for various children’s ailments.

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Binyam Mohamed: Foreign Office attempts to file ‘secret evidence’

Index on Censorship has learned that government lawyers are attempting to submit secret evidence on the treatment of former Guantanamo prisoner Binyam Mohamed, as the Foreign Office continues to attempt to prevent the release of potentially damning information about his detention.

In a letter to the judges presiding over the case, Lord Justice Thomas and Mr Justice Lloyd Jones, the Treasury Solicitor has claimed that a Public Interest Immunity certificate could be necessary for any further evidence submitted by the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband. This would allow the Foreign Office to supply evidence to the court in secret, on a basis not open to challenge or scrutiny.

The government is fighting an application by international media organisations, including Index on Censorship, to obtain the release of seven paragraphs that were redacted from an earlier judgment concerning Mohamed’s treatment at the hands of US officials. The Foreign Office had claimed that any release would endanger future intelligence-sharing arrangements with the US, a claim Mohamed’s lawyer, Dinah Rose QC, has described as ‘seriously misleading’.

Read the government letter here (pdf)

Tickets for 2009 awards now on sale!

Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards. Ticket price includes a champagne reception, three-course meal and multimedia presentation. The event takes place at 6.30pm on 21 April at London’s fantastic new arts venue,
Kings Place.

Click here to buy your tickets

The 2009 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards: nominations now open

The Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards honour those battling censorship, or those bringing to light stories that would otherwise be forgotten.

To make nominations and for any further information email awards@indexoncensorship.org

TR Fyvel Book Award
This award is given to a book that has given new insight into issues or events, shown a perspective not often acknowledged, or given a platform to new voices. The book should have been first published (or made available) between January 2008 and February 2009 inclusive.

Index on Censorship Film Award
This award is given for a feature-length film or documentary that highlights issues around censorship or freedom of expression, or for a film whose power derives from its subject matter and the risks taken making and/or releasing it. Broadly, for commercial releases to be eligible they must have had a UK premier in a cinema or on television, or a DVD released in the UK between January 2008 and February 2009 inclusive.

PLEASE NOTE: For the TR Fyvel Book Award and Index on Censorship Film Award 10 preview/review copies must be sent to our address: Freedom of Expression Awards, Index on Censorship, 6-8 Amwell Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 1UQ

Bindmans Law and Campaigning Award
This award is given to lawyers or campaigners who have fought repression, or have struggled to change political climates and perceptions. Special attention is given to people using or establishing legal precedents to fight injustice.

The Economist New Media Award
This new award seeks to recognise the use of computer or Internet technology to foster debate, argument or dissent. Nominations can also cover those who enhance online freedom through the use of new technologies.

The Index on Censorship Journalism Award
This award recognises journalism of dogged determination and bravery, often representing a different point of view in the media. Special attention will be given to the context of the writing and the relevance of the issues.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE 20th February 2009
To make nominations, or for any further information on the awards or the presentation event please contact:
awards@indexoncensorship.org or call 020 7278 2313
The Freedom of Expression Awards 2009 will be held in a prestigious London venue, gathering heroes of free expression to a unique event.

Keynote Speaker: Sir David Hare
Host: Jonathan Dimbleby
Judges: Emily Bell, Shaheed Fatima, Martin Rynja, Arti Lukha (tbc), Mark Kermode
Special Address: Richard Sambrook, BBC World

To read about previous winners, click here

Freedom of Expression Awards Winners’ Archive

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Kalima website hacked; Index award winner attacked again

The independent Tunisian online magazine Kalima has suffered an attack that has completely destroyed its web content, and in a separate but related incident, its editor has been abused by police in the street.

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Winners of Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards announced

Journalist Arat Dink was honoured by Index on Censorship at a ceremony in London last night.

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