The manner in which Gawker — love it or loathe it — has been shuttered is a significant blow to media freedom. The US site will close down after being forced into bankruptcy through a lawsuit funded by billionaire Peter Thiel.

“No one should be able to shut down a news provider simply by using the power of their wealth. That is why Index on Censorship fought so hard to reform libel laws in the UK. A free and pluralistic press is essential to democracy,” Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of Index on Censorship, said.