17 Dec 2009 | Uncategorized
![year_in_review[1]](https://www.indexoncensorship.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/year_in_review1.gif "year_in_review[1]")
Index on Censorship looks back on the highs and lows of the year. Editors, journalists, artists and scholars on the frontline review the challenges for free speech around the world. Internationally acclaimed artist Ai Weiwei defies attempts to silence his blog and his protests; leading Russian editor. Dmitry Muratov speaks exclusively to Index about his fight for justice and Melissa Goodman asks why Barack Obama turned his back on transparency. Plus eyewitness accounts and analysis on Turkey, Burma, Sri Lanka, The Gambia, Zimbabwe and Iran.
17 Dec 2009 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
The BBC has come under fire for pulling sections of the Sergei Diaghilev ballet from its Christmas television schedule after discovering it featured a deformed Pope who rapes nuns. BBC4 was due to show Eternal Damnation to Sancho and Sanchez in a pre-watershed slot over Christmas. The shows producer Javier de Frutos has hit back saying he believes the decision is “silly as well as dangerous”. Composer Thomas Adès added: “To pull it from the programme is a shocking, terrible mistake, and shows a disgraceful, pathetic and worrying loss of nerve on the part of the BBC.” Read more here
17 Dec 2009 | News and features, United Kingdom
Index on Censorship and English PEN today have expressed dismay that the BBC has conceded the libel action brought by toxic waste shippers Trafigura in the High Court. We believe this is a case of such high public interest that it was incumbent upon a public sector broadcaster like the BBC to have held their ground in order to test in a Court of law the truth of the BBC’s report or determine whether a vindication of Trafigura was deserved.
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17 Dec 2009 | Uncategorized
Private Eye editor, Ian Hislop and CEO of Index on Censorship, John Kampfner appeared on the One Show on BBC One to highlight Index on Censorship and English Pen’s libel reform campaign. They were joined by lawyer Mark Stephens and Nigel Tait from law firm Carter-Ruck. To watch the show click here
