Category : Ruth’s blog
An ode to two defining figures from 1989
The year 1989 saw events that shaped the world we currently live. We look at two essential figures who challenged the status quo at the time Saudi woman’s “death sentence” for using her voice
Salma al-Shehab, who was studying for a PhD at the University of Leeds, faces a 34-year sentence for supporting other Saudi women We need to talk about history
Hiding uncomfortable truths does not erase the past, whether they are SLAPPs from powerful actors or hidden traumas in tourist hotspots Why we need to protect end-to-end encryption
Apps like Telegram and WhatsApp provide ways for human rights defenders and journalists to communicate without fear of discovery by authoritarian governments 
An unwelcome return to the 1970s
Protests for women's rights, widespread strikes, rampant inflation. Have we turned the clock back fifty years? Why we all need to be angelic troublemakers
People forget that Pride is all about protest and we should recognise that free expression is vital to positive change The terrible price of refusing to remain silent
On the anniversary of the murder of MP Jo Cox and as we learn of the fate of two journalists in Brazil, Ruth Smeeth says we must learn from their deaths Raised voices: why we must continue to listen
The news coming in from Belarus, Brazil, Hong Kong and Russia is devastating, writes our CEO Ruth Smeeth #Belarus: Andrei Aliaksandrau comes to trial
On Monday 7 June, our former colleague will face court behind closed doors, charged with treason for helping protesters against Lukashenka's government. We will be watching The UK government needs to work out just what “free speech” means
The Queen's Speech had much to say about freedom of expression but there are conflicting views on what it means in Britain Another deadly year for journalists
Palestinian reporter Shireen Abu Akleh becomes the 17th journalist to be killed while doing her job this year 
