The UK government’s Defamation Bill goes to the House of Lords for its second reading debate today. Michael Harris explains why it’s vital that the government acts to protect free speech
International NGOs to UK government: Protect us, strengthen libel law reforms
A man who admitted to posting "despicable" comments about missing five-year-old April Jones on his Facebook page has been jailed for 12 weeks. Matthew Woods appeared at Chorley Magistrates' Court today, where he pleaded guilty to "sending by means...
In its 40-year history, Index has showcased some of the world’s most remarkable poets. To mark National Poetry Day, we republish two poets jailed after speaking out
The Director of Public Prosecutions has announced a consultation to establish clear guidelines on prosecutions involving social media . In a statement on The Crown Prosecution Service website announcing that footballer Daniel Thomas ---...
Lord Justice Leveson is weeks away from issuing recommendations for a new system of press regulation. With the future of British papers in the judge’s hands, Index’s Marta Cooper looks at the challenges ahead
The Lawyer | Mark Lewis | Do we need a free press?
The Blogger | Guido Fawkes | Where will this all end?
The Journalist | Trevor Kavanagh | The Leveson effect
The Editor | Alan Rusbridger | Striking a balance
Hacked Off | Martin Moore | The danger of power
What should the Inquiry do? As little as possible, suggests Trevor Kavanagh. The press does not need licences like dogs and gun owners Lord Justice Leveson is said by those who know him to regret taking on David Cameron's ill-conceived inquiry into...
With power comes responsibility, warns Martin Moore of the Hacked Off campaign There is no shortage of quotes or aphorisms about the corrupting nature of too much power. From Thomas Bailey’s warning that "The possession of unlimited power will...
The UK has a press-controlled state rather than a state-controlled press. Phone hacking lawyer Mark Lewis reports on lessons from Leveson Time and again, the criticism of the Leveson Inquiry is that it is another nail in the coffin of a free press....
To improve the culture, practice and ethics of the press, we must protect and promote the best of journalism. Alan Rusbridger makes the case for a new settlement I have always believed that the most interesting period in the phone hacking story was...
Tougher legislation will lead to judges becoming censors, says political blogger Guido Fawkes So far Lord Justice Leveson has been angry with me, threatened me with jail, censored me, twice summoned me, argued with me at his inquiry and thrice...