Index on Censorship has been awarded the 2013 Hermann Kesten Prize by the PEN Center Germany. The award was given in recognition of Index's work fighting censorship around the world. In particular, the jury acknowledged Indexs lack of political...
Index on Censorship has launched a petition calling on European Union Heads of Government to stop the US, UK and other governments from carrying out mass surveillance.
In the wake of the ousting of former president Mohamed Morsi in Egypt and commitments to initiate a road map to return to democracy, Index on Censorship calls on Egypt’s interim government to stop all censorship introduced as part of the military takeover, immediately reverse the closure of media outlets, release journalists arrested, and to allow a free and open media to operate representing all views in society.
Index on Censorship has had a makeover! Find out more about how we’re leading the global debate on freedom of expression with our fresh new look
In asking YouTube to review an anti-Islam video on the grounds it breached Google’s terms of service, the White House is guilty of censorship by stealth, says Index CEO Kirsty Hughes in the Financial Times
Index joins civil society groups in voicing concerns about proposals made by the International Telecommunication Union that would threaten the openness of the internet
Since March, Emirati authorities have arrested over 50 activists and human rights defenders in a widespread crackdown on dissent. Index joins a group of international rights groups in calling on UK Foreign Minister William Hague and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to push for the prisoners’ release
The UK government’s plans to extend secret hearings into the civil courts will lead to a diminishing in the open administration of justice,
Index on Censorship Chief Executive John Kampfner will be stepping down this spring, after Index’s annual awards ceremony at the end of March. His announcement brings to an end a three-and-a-half year tenure that has seen Index become one of the...
As the London Conference on Cyberspace begins, Index on Censorship has joined leading human rights groups and media freedom activists in calling on Foreign Secretary William Hague to reject censorship and surveillance that undermines free expression
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.