FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AWARDS 2015

Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expression Awards exist to celebrate individuals or groups who have had a significant impact fighting censorship anywhere in the world.

Awards were offered in four categories: Arts, Campaigning, Digital Activism and Journalism
Anyone who has had a demonstrable impact in tackling censorship is eligible
Winners were honoured at a gala celebration in London at the Barbican Centre
Winners joined Index’s Awards Fellowship programme and received dedicated training and support

Arts

for artists and arts producers whose work challenges repression and injustice and celebrates artistic free expression

Campaigning

for activists and campaigners who have had a marked impact in fighting censorship and promoting freedom of expression

Digital Activism

for innovative uses of technology to circumvent censorship and enable free and independent exchange of information

Journalism

for courageous, high-impact and determined journalism that exposes censorship and threats to free expression

The Index Awards Fellowship

In recognising individuals and organisations, often working in dangerous and difficult conditions, Index makes a commitment to them. Through a year-long fellowship we work with our awards winners – both during an intensive week in London, and the rest of the awarding year – to provide longer term, structured assistance to enhance the work they are already doing.

FELLOWS

Through the Index Awards Fellowship we work with our winners – both during an intensive week in London and the rest of the awarding year – to provide longer term, structured support.

The goal is to help winners maximise their impact, broaden their support and ensure they can continue to excel at fighting free expression threats on the ground.

Arts 2015

Mouad “El Haqed” Belghouat

Campaigning 2015

Amran Abdundi

Digital Activism 2015

Tamás Bodoky

Journalism 2015

Rafael Marques de Morais

Journalism 2015

Safa Al Ahmad

JUDGING

Criteria – Anyone involved in tackling free expression threats – either through journalism, campaigning, the arts or using digital techniques – is eligible for nomination.

Any individual, group or NGO can nominate or self-nominate. There is no cost to apply.

Judges look for courage, creativity and resilience. We shortlist on the basis of those who are deemed to be making the greatest impact in tackling censorship in their chosen area, with a particular focus on topics that are little covered or tackled by others.

Nominees must have had a recognisable impact in the past 12 months.

Where a judge comes from a nominee’s country, or where there is any other potential conflict of interest, the judge will abstain from voting in that category.

Panel – Each year Index recruits an independent panel of judges – leading world voices with diverse expertise across campaigning, journalism, the arts and human rights.

The judges for 2015, chaired by Index on Censorship’s CEO Jodie Ginsberg were: