[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The global Covid-19 pandemic has been the root cause of some of the most concerning and frightening attacks on...
CATEGORY: About Index
Index urges UN Secretary-General to demand member states respect human rights following Ruhollah Zam execution
Following the execution on Saturday in Iran of Ruhollah Zam, an activist and journalist who had been accused of using a messaging app to stir up dissent, Index call on the UN Secretary-General to demand members respect the UN Declaration on Human Rights
UK online harms proposals could gravely impact free speech
Index has significant concerns about the UK government’s proposals for online harms and their unintended consequences on free speech
UK lawyers uneasy about plan to prosecute hate speech at home (The Guardian)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ruth Smeeth, Index's CEO, explained her criticism of the proposed removal of the "dwelling" privacy exemption...
Hate crime bill: Law would criminalise teatime chats, claim campaigners (Times)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Index CEO Ruth Smeeth warned of new legislation in Scotland that would "govern what we say to each other over a...
New ‘online harm’ legislation is a threat to free speech (Independent)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Index on Censorship CEO Ruth Smeeth has voiced her concerns regarding the proposed Online Harms Bill. Smeeth...
A new threat to freedom: Lawsuits (Politico)
An Index report on Slapps is cited in Politico’s piece about the trend of vexatious lawsuits against journalists
Stop deleting our media shows – what we watch shouldn’t be heavily restricted (Independent)
Jemimah Steinfeld, head of content for Index on Censorship, writes in the Independent about the debate around censoring TV comedy
Heavy fines on social networks for not tackling online abuse may have unintended consequences
Index CEO Ruth Smeeth discusses the proposed Online Harms Bill in a virtual session organised by the Board of Deputies after a rise in anti-Semitic attacks
Ireland notified by Council of Europe over legal action against media outlet
Index on Censorship have raised a Council of Europe alert amid concerns over current legal action against the Dublin Inquirer
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.