As the BBC celebrates its centenary, our CEO Ruth Smeeth considers why it is so important
The value of public service journalism
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CATEGORY: Ruth’s blog
“The tyrants win if we let acts of protest pass without notice”
We have a duty to support those who put themselves at risk because otherwise nothing changes, says Ruth Smeeth
Too much news?
It has been a busy week for news headlines. It is the role of Index is to make sure that the stories of dissidents are not ignored or forgotten
“Imagine the conversation between Bolsonaro and Erdogan”
Protests during mourning for Queen Elizabeth have been distasteful but not illegal. How should we express our feelings about some of the guests attending Monday’s state funeral?
“Her Majesty was a formidable head of state”
Index is definitely not a traditional vehicle to feature an article discussing the British royal family. However, today I am going to abuse my position as chief executive in order to honour the life of one of the most dedicated public servants a...
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
A new chance to protect freedom of expression online
“Unintended consequences”, “ideologically incoherent”, “won’t change culture or make us safer”. I have written all these words and many more about the British Government’s Online Safety Bill. Index on Censorship has spent the last eighteen months...