#UK: Window Wonderland 2025, a London exhibition at the Bomb Factory Art Foundation, has been forced to close after a series of escalating vandal attacks. #art should open up dialogue not be silenced by those determined to shut conversations down.

Recent speaker cancellations of a Palestinian author in Australia and a Jewish MP in the UK shows that the space for having uncomfortable conversations is shrinking. Our editor Sally Gimson writes on how this ultimately shuts down debate: www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/a-ta...

📢 Viasna human rights defender Uladzimir Labkovich spoke to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty about the situation of political prisoners in #Belarus He emphasized the urgent need for continued attention and solidarity with #politicalprisoners. #FreeThemAll

"Injustice was the first language I learned." The world must not look away from what is happening to the #Uyghurs. Rahima Mahmut reflects on the freedom fighters, writers, poets & musicians who inspire her & who continue to hope in the darkest of times ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/rahi...

Early results in #Uganda’s election suggest President Yoweri Museveni is set to extend his decades-long rule. The vote has been marred by repression and intimidation including reports of opposition supporters being killed and a nationwide internet blackout.

Today marks 12 years since the arrest #Uyghur intellectual #IlhamTohti. His detention revealed the CCP’s extensive legal & political frameworks used to repress the freedoms of its #Uyghur population. We reported on it shortly after his arrest ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2014/02/chin...

Cancelling writer Randa Abdel Fattah from a literary festival in #Australia & MP Damien Egan from a school visit in the #UK over debates on Israel & Palestine shrinks the very spaces where difficult conversations should take place. Our editor responds: www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/a-ta...

Banning the under-16s from many social media spaces may look like the answer, but it curtails free expression and threatens privacy. There must be a better way. As the debate grows in the #UK, read Index's warning in response to Australia's ban: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/aust...

Why is the publishing industry becoming more risk-averse? @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social considers the line between censorship & business in publishing and how fear of offence is outweighing the willingness to publish boundary-pushing books www.thebookseller.com/comment/we-d... @thebookseller.com

#Iran: We are relieved to hear that #ErfanSoltani will not be executed today. However, reports say his death sentence has only been postponed. International scrutiny remains vital as Iranian authorities continue to target protesters and restrict internet access.

#Iran: “Writing on walls is the only thing in my power.” Under cover of darkness, an Iranian woman known as Sara is keeping the words of protest alive on Tehran’s streets. Read about the secret graffiti grandma of Tehran ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/the-...

#Uganda: On the eve of elections, NGOs have been banned and internet access cut. President Yoweri Museveni (in power since the 1980s) appears determined to prevent a genuinely democratic vote. 1/2

As the Iranian government cracks down violently on protest, journalist @fatemehjamalpour.bsky.social goes on the trail of a spray-painting grandmother who secretly keeps the words of the protests alive ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/the-... #Iran

#Iran: 26-year-old protester #ErfanSoltani reportedly faces execution tomorrow, without formal charges or a lawyer. The authorities in #Iran continue to brutally crackdown on protestors. We must all raise our voice for Soltani and call for the sentence to be overturned.

#Europe: The Far Right is on the rise... you have been warned. Index's @martinbright.bsky.social attended a far right conference in Brussels to find out more about their claim to be the defenders of free speech: www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/the-...

#UK: The #BBC is moving to dismiss a £3bn defamation lawsuit brought by #Trump over edits to his 6 Jan 2021 speech. The UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition explains how this is yet another way the Trump administration is weaponising the law to silence scrutiny⬇️ antislapp.uk/2025/12/09/t...

#USA: “The right to read and the right to free speech are inseparable.” That’s why the Vonnegut Estate, leading authors & students are taking #Utah to court over book bans they say violate the First Amendment - the latest fight for the freedom to read⬇️ global.penguinrandomhouse.com/announcement...

ICYMI: She's been labelled the "butcher of Tanzania" and now Samia Suluhu Hassan has been crowned our latest Tyrant of the Year. Read more about why she's received this unenviable award. www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/tanz...

#Israel: “I’ve never boycotted Israel, yet Israel has decided to boycott me,” said a French academic who's been denied entry to the country for his “anti-Zionist” speech. Another example of the troubling trend to police speech by deciding who's allowed in and who isn't.

#Belarus: Five years ago today, Andrei Aliaksandrau - our colleague, our friend - was arrested in Belarus. He's spent five years in prison simply for protesting Lukashenka’s fraudulent election. Andrei is just one of many jailed for demanding freedom. Raise your voice today for all of them 1/2

#China: The CCP's “war against the soul” is intensifying. At least six people have been arrested this month amid a growing crackdown on unofficial Christian churches - another step in the CCP’s drive for total ideological control. Read the background ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/ther...

#Iran: Internet blackout makes it hard to grasp what's fully happening but we've seen images of bodies of protesters piling up on streets. Some say 1000s have been killed. Iran's attorney general has also said any protester will be considered an “enemy of God” - an offence punishable with death 1/2

You voted. The verdict is in. The 2025 Tyrant of the Year competition has a clear winner - Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan. Poet Neema Komba reflects on what this dubious crown means for her country. www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/tanz...

Just a few days left to apply for this role at Index. Come join us and work at an organisation fighting for that most sacred right - free expression www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/inde...

Europe's Far Right talk a lot about free speech but what do they really mean? @martinbright.bsky.social attended a conference in Brussels to find out more www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/the-...

#Venezuela: We welcome news that political prisoners are being released from the notorious El Helicoide prison. Read our piece here to understand just what these people have gone through. All because they dared to speak out against the regime. www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/05/vene...

#Iran: Almost two weeks into protests, authorities are intensifying censorship. The latest move is to cut internet access throughout the country (as reported by @netblocks.org). Shutting down the internet won’t erase the truth. Free access is a right, not a privilege.

More journalists are being murdered today than ever before. A new monument in the UK will honour those who have lost their lives gathering the news & remind us why media freedom matters. We spoke to some of the people behind it. www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/on-t...

⏰ Last chance ⏰ If you’re Gen Z (born 1997–2012), today is your final chance to take part in our survey on free speech and social media. 🕑 Takes 2 minutes 🔒 Completely anonymous 📊 Shapes real research ⛔Deadline Friday 9 January 2026:

The House Oversight Committee just approved an outrageous subpoena of journalist Seth Harp for reporting on Venezuela. His "crime," apparently? Posting already public information from a government website to X. Read our full statement:

#Iran: Authorities are responding to protests with escalating force. New footage shows security forces - openly firing on protesters - using equipment linked to hazardous materials And yet people continue to risk everything to speak out - a display of extraordinary courage.

#China: Don’t be too gloomy - or else. Cindy Yu reports on the influencers being punished for their pessimism. www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/chin...

After a long campaign, @zeldaperkins.bsky.social recently won a major victory against the misuse of NDAs in the UK. “You cannot use the law to hide harm,” she told Index. www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/end-...

The right to protest has been suspended, journalists have been arrested, people are being pulled over by armed militia who are checking their phones - the aftermath of the USA's actions in Venezuela is grim. Made all the worse by how low the bar was already. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

#UK: Last month the government announced plans to cancel the afternoon lobby briefing. But many say it's an essential space for journalists to dig deeper. We therefore have concerns, as we told the @telegraph.co.uk www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

Dozens of students have been injured as Israeli forces raided Birzeit University following a solidarity event and a screening of the film Hind Rajab. Described as an “unprecedented” assault, it's a flagrant attack on academic freedom. The details are here 1/2: www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...

If you’re Gen Z, help us understand how social media really affects free expression today. 🕑 2 minutes 🔐 Anonymous 📅 Deadline: 9 January 2026 👉 Take the survey and share with friends: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/gen-...

#Venezuela: Two months ago, we honoured Carlos Correa for fearless journalism under extreme conditions. Today, as repression against the media is being intensified in the country, his work is just as difficult - and just as essential. More: www.indexoncensorship.org/awards-2025-...

"Dündar’s new book describes in vivid detail the kind of mafia state Turkey has become – it’s more Godfather than Le Carré". We speak to the prominent journalist @candundar.bsky.social about Turkey, life in Germany and the new "American exiles". www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/can-...

Just six days left to apply for the role of development officer at Index. Apply now to join our team. More info: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/inde...

#USA: In case you missed it - UK comedian Dom Joly has been denied entry to the USA for criticising Trump. “I know a lot of people it’s happened to,” he says - and we do too. Refusing visas over speech is a growing pattern, and it’s authoritarian. www.chortle.co.uk/news/2025/12...

#Iran: We've seen disturbing videos of forces entering hospitals to attack protesters. To now be silencing free speech through fear and violence in places of healing is an extreme escalation. It must be condemned loudly and immediately.

Today is the FINAL day to cast your vote for 2025 Tyrant of the Year. After a year of brutal crackdowns on free speech, let's hold these rulers accountable! Cast your vote & share: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/tyra...

1 week to go! Index is conducting a short survey exploring Gen Z attitudes to free speech and social media. If you were born between 1997 and 2012, we’d value your insight! 📅 Survey closes Friday 9 January 2026: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/gen-...

A new year invites reflection (and accountability). 2025 was a grim one for free speech, marked by censorship, cruelty and repression. Help us name the worst offender. Vote for Tyrant of the Year 2025 ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/tyra...

Curtains closing on another brutal year for free speech. Jails are full, voices are silenced and tyrants are competing hard for the title. Who deserves the shame of Tyrant of the Year 2025? Vote now ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/tyra...

China is punishing online influencers for spreading doom and gloom. The Cyberspace Administration of China has launched another one of its regular Clear and Bright campaigns, cracking down on content which exaggerates negative sentiments. Learn more: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/chin...

#Afghanistan 🇦🇫 @indexoncensorship.org shares a letter from an Afghan woman: “I can be a voice for girls who are no longer allowed to shout. I try as much as possible to find time to speak the truth because ultimately silence only intensifies the pain.”

A French cabaret is facing closer due to Instagram bans. The platform’s shift towards community moderation has paved the way for "co-ordinated mob-like behaviour," where moderation tools are weaponised against underrepresented members of society. Learn more: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/fren...

Crackdowns, censorship, cruelty. The contenders have been busy, but only one can win. Vote now for Tyrant of the Year 2025 ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/tyra...