Slovakia must deliver justice and accountability in murder of journalist Jan Kuciak

Thursday 21 February 2019 will commemorate a full year since the assassination of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in Slovakia. Kuciak was investigating cross-border corruption and links between powerful people and various mafia networks.

Wider definition of harm can be manipulated to restrict media freedom

Index on Censorship welcomes a report by the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee into disinformation and fake news that calls for greater transparency on social media companies’ decision making processes, on who posts political advertising and on use of personal data.

UK must call for release of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa

Index on Censorship condemns the arrest of journalist and Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa by Philippines authorities and calls on the UK to make good on its promises to defend media freedom globally by calling for her release.

Uganda: Artists should not have to seek government approval to make their art

More than 130 musicians, writers and artists, together with many British and Ugandan members of parliament, have signed a petition calling on Uganda to drop plans for regulations that include vetting songs, videos and film scripts prior to their release.  Musicians, producers, promoters, filmmakers and all other artists would also have to register with the government and obtain a licence that can be revoked for a range of violations.

UK NGOs concerned over press freedom implications of Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill

Index on Censorship joined a letter signed by seven other NGOs expressing concern over the UK's Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill, which goes to the final stages of parliamentary debate on 30 January. The bill has worrying implications for press freedom and human rights, including putting journalists' data at risk.

Azerbaijan takes step in right direction by dropping new charges against Mehman Huseynov

While Index on Censorship welcomes dropping of new charges against Mehman Huseynov, the organisation calls on Azerbaijan to release the human rights defender and journalist from prison

Ability to protest peacefully is a hallmark of a functioning democracy

Index on Censorship is alarmed by the increasing number of restrictions being placed on protests globally

Zimbabwe must release Evan Mawarire and drop all charges

Index on Censorship calls for the immediate release of activist Evan Mawarire, who was arrested in Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Europe’s proposed regulation on online extremism endangers freedom of expression

Index on Censorship shares the widespread concerns about the proposed EU regulation on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online. The regulation would endanger freedom of expression and would create huge practical challenges for companies and member states.

Escalating repression against Mehman Huseynov

Member and partner NGOs of 13 Human Rights Houses issue a joint letter calling for urgent action from the international community to ensure the life, health, and rights of imprisoned Azerbaijani photojournalist, video blogger, and human rights defender Mehman Huseynov.

Bahraini injustice: Nabeel Rajab conviction for tweeting upheld

Bahrain’s Court of Cassation has upheld human rights activist Nabeel Rajab’s five-year conviction for critical tweets made from his account condemning Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen and the use of torture at Bahrain’s notorious Jau Prison.

Egyptian court orders release of activist Amal Fathy

A Cairo criminal court has ordered that Egyptian activist Amal Fathy, who was arrested on 11 May after posting a video criticising sexual harassment in Egypt, be released.