A Zimbabwean pastor arrested after leading an anti-Robert Mugabe campaign which went viral has been shortlisted for the 2017 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards. Read the full article
Sixteen courageous individuals and organisations who fight for freedom of expression in every part of the world
International organisations call on the British foreign minister to pressure Bahrain to end judicial harassment of human rights advocate Nabeel Rajab
When Donald Trump approved the executive order on the travel ban for seven majority-Muslims countries, Zaina Erhaim couldn't believe her ears. Read the full article
I’m always wary of referring to the west as “the free world”, and of proclaiming that we are therefore blessed with “press freedom” because, in both cases, that freedom is relative and often under pressure. Read the the full article
The United Kingdom might be seeing its own version of the infamous Gawker versus Hogan case play out in its own legal system, but with a twist. Section 40 is a new law that if enacted, will force publishers to pay for the legal expenses of the...
All media is, to some extent, biased. That's the reality of the world: What people choose to report, how they report it, and what bits they leave in or out are all up for debate. However, there are some organizations whose focus on data collection...
National news media can’t agree whether buzzfeed.com erred when it published the 35-page compendium of salacious rumors about Donald Trump in Moscow. Read the full article
A look inside Flying Dog, the company that made a bestseller out of a beer with a naughty name—and launched a First Amendment fight to call its brews whatever the hell it wants. Read the full article
The censoring of an artwork because of its viewpoint is a deeply disturbing and divisive act in an already polarised nation
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.