Each year, the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards gala honours courageous champions who fight for free speech around the world.
#IndexAwards2017: Here’s what you need to know
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CATEGORY: About Index
International groups call for immediate and unconditional release of Zainab Al-Khawaja
Index joins with international human rights groups to call on the government of Bahrain to release Zainab Al-Khawaja
12 April: Zaina Erhaim on Syria’s Rebellious Women
Join us at the Frontline Club for a film screening and discussion with Zaina Erhaim, a Syrian journalist shortlisted for the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards 2016.
Parental advisory: revisiting the filthiest songs from Tipper Gore’s hotlist
In the late 1980s, US author and activist Mary Elizabeth “Tipper” Gore claimed, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, that she was not a “raunchy, inflexible prude”.
Angola: Index condemns jailing of 17 activists for anti-government “rebellion”
Index is appalled at the sentencing of Angolan activists whose “crime” was taking part in a reading group discussing ideas of democracy.
Mapping Media Freedom: Week in focus
Each week, Mapping Media Freedom project verifies violations against the media. Here are five reports that give us cause for concern
Turkey should drop criminal charges against journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül
Leading international free expression and press freedom groups condemn politically motivated trial
Music in Exile: recent cases of censorship
It’s hard for many of us to imagine, but all around the world, people are being intimidated out of playing music
Political prisoners released in Azerbaijan
Sport for Rights coalition expresses its relief over the release of 15 political prisoners in Azerbaijan.
Bahrain must immediately release Zainab Al-Khawaja
Index on Censorship calls for the immediate release of human rights activist Zainab Al-Khawaja, who was arrested on Monday 14 March 2016 with her one-year-old son Abdulhadi.
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.