Proposed legislation that could see journalists and whistleblowers sentenced up to 14 years for leaking official documents has no place in a democracy.
UK proposals to update spy laws a threat to journalism
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CATEGORY: About Index
The UK considers tougher prison sentences for whistleblowers (Endgadget)
The UK government is considering new proposals that would drastically increase prison sentences for individuals and journalists found guilty of obtaining or sharing state secrets. In a bid to modernize the Official Secrets Acts, a new...
Whistleblowers and investigative journalists will not face jail, Downing Street insists (I News)
Downing Street insisted that whistleblowers and investigative journalists will not have their freedom restricted by proposals which could result in a 14-year jail sentence for revealing state secrets. Read the full article
Law Commission’s recommended changes to espionage laws a threat to journalists (Scottish Legal News)
Proposed changes to official secrets legislation would see the maximum prison sentence for journalists who obtain leaked official documents increased to 14 years. Read the full article
Journalists and whistleblowers face 14 years in prison for exposing leaked official secrets (Daily Mail)
Whistleblowers and journalists could face up to 14 years in prison for handling leaked official documents, under proposed legislation drawn up for the Government. Read the full article
Media workers stand with refugees (Green Left Weekly)
Eaten Fish (Ali Dorani), a 25-year-old Iranian cartoonist began a hunger strike on January 31 in Manus Island detention centre. He has now been on hunger strike for more than two weeks. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) published an...
Journalists who obtain leaked official material could be sent to prison under new proposals (The Telegraph)
Campaigners have expressed outrage at new proposals that could lead to journalists being jailed for up to 14 years for obtaining leaked official documents. Read the full article
Planned Espionage Act could jail journos and whistleblowers as spies (The Register)
Proposals in the UK for a swingeing new Espionage Act that could jail journalists as spies have been developed in haste by legal advisors, The Register has learned. Read the full article
Cast of a controversial play are reunited at the Young Vic (London News)
Artists are preparing go it alone at the Young Vic next month when the cast of a controversial play are reunited. Read the full article
Index’s youth board discusses media freedom in Europe with MMF correspondents
To highlight the most pressing concerns for press freedom in Europe in 2017, members Index’s outgoing youth board review the year gone by with Mapping Media Freedom correspondents
Index Awards 2017: Celebrating defenders of free expression
Index on Censorship is a nonprofit that campaigns for and defends free expression worldwide. We publish work by censored writers and artists, promote debate, and monitor threats to free speech. We believe that everyone should be free to express themselves without fear of harm or persecution – no matter what their views.
Index’s aim is to raise awareness about threats to free expression and the value of free speech as the first step to tackling censorship.
Index relies entirely on the support of donors and readers to do our work.
We work in four ways:
Informing
Index on Censorship publishes an award-winning quarterly magazine that has featured some of the world’s best-known writers. We publish original creative writing and articles about free expression from across the globe.
Our website offers additional information to help people understand the current threats to free expression globally. And we reach a wider audience through social media.
Influencing
Each year, Index on Censorship identifies some of the greatest threats to free speech around the world and develops advocacy campaigns to push for change in legislation or public attitudes. We choose topics where our work can make a significant impact – and deliberately choose areas where others might not be focused. You can see our current areas of focus on our Campaigns and Projects work.
We use a mixture of research, reporting, direct advocacy and media campaigning to achieve our goals.
Debating
Index on Censorship believes that free expression encourages more open and tolerant societies. We actively promote debate with an exciting series of events each year to help people better understand the value of free speech. This includes performances, exhibitions, talks and concerts. We are also regularly quoted in international media on free expression issues. Read more about our current events programme here.
Supporting
Index on Censorship directly supports groups and individuals facing censorship through our Freedom of Expression Awards Fellowship. The fellowship offers a year-long programme of tailored support to a small group of fellows selected for their outstanding work in the fields of journalism, arts, campaigning and digital advocacy. Read more about this innovative work here.