Index on Censorship rejects proposals for a new UK treason law.
Vague treason law could be used to punish political enemies, says Index
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Eight years for a Facebook video: Egypt must immediately release Mona el-Mazbouh
Over 25 NGOs call for the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned Lebanese tourist Mona el-Mazbouh
Doughty Street Chambers: Egypt’s arbitrary detention of Amal Fathy clear violation of her rights
Leading human rights lawyers from Doughty Street Chambers have submitted a new complaint to the United Nations regarding Egypt’s treatment of Amal Fathy, the detained wife of a co-founder of the award-winning human rights group the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF).
Haruki Murakami’s new novel declared ‘indecent’ by Hong Kong censors
Rachael Jolley, editor of Index on Censorship magazine, tells The Guardian that recent restrictions “appear to be part of a worrying trend in China to be more restrictive about how sex is portrayed in books, and what is ‘allowed’. “Book fairs are...
Should we go on holiday to repressive countries? (Prospect, 18 July 2018)
Among the honey-coloured buildings of Valetta’s main street in front of the courthouse is a shrine to Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Maltese journalist murdered on the island last October. Tourists walking through the Unesco World Heritage city this...
The EU must take a strong stand on media freedom and human rights in Azerbaijan
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Index on Censorship welcomes a European Parliament recommendation for the EU to ensure that Azerbaijan frees its political prisoners before the negotiations on a new deal between the EU and Azerbaijan are...
Public asked to vote on favourite banned book (Bookseller, 16 July 2018)
A public vote is set to launch this week to find the nation's favourite banned book. It is taking place in the run up to the week-long celebration of banned books in September. From Wednesday 18th July until 22th August, the Banned Books censored...
Khayrullo Mirsaidov: the journalist from Tajikistan who received 12 years in prison for his honesty and courage (Open Democracy, 15 July 2018)
In the 15 years I have known Khayrullo Mirsaidov, I have often called my friend and colleague an idiot. The Webster dictionary defines an “idiot” as”a very stupid or foolish person”. That describe accurately anybody who, 25 years after the Soviet...
Is drill the most controversial genre of music? (GQ, 14 July 2018)
Originating in South Side Chicago at the start of the decade with breakout artists such as Pacman and Chief Keef, drill (slang for gun) is a strand of trap music defined by a slower tempo of 70 beats per minute (with trap at 140 and grime at 160),...
Double vision: Malta’s sunny tourist image masks some murky goings-on (Eurozine, 11 July 2018)
The hunt for the person or people who ordered the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta last October appears to be making little progress. Caroline Muscat reports that the government there instead seems concerned with...
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.