#Iran: The country has now been offline for over 100 hours yet disturbing reports continue including claims of people protesting from their homes & being shot at. Verification is difficult with the shutdown but such accounts are consistent with a regime that's killed thousands in recent weeks.

As events around the world shift rapidly, it’s easy to miss stories or overlook the ones that don’t make the headlines. Index’s newsletter brings you some of the most important (and often underreported) stories shaping free expression today. Subscribe ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/subscribe-to...

2025 marked the 10th anniversary of the @coemediafreedom.bsky.social platform to promote the protection of journalism & safety of journalists - but there was nothing to celebrate. The attacks against those in the media rose sharply over the decade. euobserver.com/204824/the-r...

#Iraq: Horrific news. Yanar Mohammed-activist, feminist & founder of the Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq-was murdered yesterday outside her home. She created Iraq’s first women’s shelter & fought tirelessly against violence & oppression. There must be justice. No impunity for her killers.

#UK: The Booksellers Association is urging lawmakers and policymakers to recognise the growing threat facing booksellers, after recording an average of 1,600 incidents of violence against retail workers each day in 2025 - mostly linked to the books they sell ⬇️ www.thebookseller.com/news/ba-warn...

TODAY: Join us for a special film screening and discussion on #Iran and creative resistance. With speakers Tara Aghdashloo, Malu Halasa and Negin Shiraghaei. Chaired by Index editor-at-large @martinbright.bsky.social. 5:30pm, Phoenix Cinema East Finchley: www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...

Index mourns the death of prominent war photographer Paul Conroy, whose courageous career helped inform the world about conflicts around the world. In honour of his legacy, revisit his interview on the risks journalists now face when covering war ⬇️ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

#Iran: For decades, Ali Khamenei presided over a system that crushed free expression and punished dissent. We’ve worked closely with Iranian dissidents over the years and have been continually inspired by their courage, creativity & determination, despite the immense costs imposed by the regime.

This Monday, join us for a timely discussion on #Iran and cultural resistance. Following a screening of Jafar Panahi’s film, journalists, filmmakers and writers will reflect on creating art under repression and the realities facing those in Iran today: www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...

#Afghanistan 🇦🇫 @indexoncensorship.org shares the story of Farah through its “Letters from Afghan Women” about the situation of young women after the Taliban regained power 🔗 buff.ly/2jCybUR

#Ukraine: This week marked four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In our latest newsletter, we examine how freedom of expression has become a significant casualty of this devastating war ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/free...

Have you got your tickets for Monday’s event? We’re hosting a panel on Jafar Panahi's new film & creating cinema in Iran, particularly in the context of the current brutal crackdown. The event will be chaired by our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social. Book: www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...

🚨📚⛔️#USA: In an extreme escalation of book bans, federal lawmakers have proposed a so-called “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act”. The bill would strip federal funding from schools nationwide that carry so-called “sexually oriented material”. 1/5

We welcome this news. His actions might have been offensive to some but offence is lawful and must remain so. It’s a shame it went this far: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Book bans in the USA, very often targeted at content around sex, LGBTQ+ lives, race and racism, are nothing new. But a nationwide ban is a whole new level. We cover this at @indexoncensorship.org all the time, because it’s getting worse all the time. www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/09/an-u...

🚨📚⛔️#USA: In an extreme escalation of book bans, federal lawmakers have proposed a so-called “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act”. The bill would strip federal funding from schools nationwide that carry so-called “sexually oriented material”. 1/5

Anonymity is a prerequisite for a free society. 🗽 When platforms demand your ID, they are demanding your silence. Jemimah Steinfeld of @indexoncensorship.org explains how age verification laws kill anonymity and free speech. ⬇️ Full livestream in comments. ⬇️

Writer and editor Malu Halasa will join Monday’s panel to discuss creating culture under oppression in #Iran. Join us and Mubi for this important and timely film screening and discussion. Tickets ⬇️ www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...

ICHRI’s report details the scale of #Iran’s brutal crackdown. Including shoot-to-kill orders, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture and deaths in custody. The atrocities are ongoing. The international community must not stay silent: iranhumanrights.org/2026/02/iran...

A new report by @pressfreedom.bsky.social finds that 2025 was the deadliest year for journalists since it began documenting killings more than three decades ago. Israel was responsible for two-thirds of all press killings in both 2025 and 2024. Read the full report⬇️ cpj.org/special-repo...

#HongKong: The quashing of Jimmy Lai’s fraud conviction changes nothing for him. He's still looking at spending the rest of his life in prison. The time has come for the National Security Law charges against him to be dropped. He must be freed. Today.

#UK: A damning report has found that maternity wards often “cover up” harmful mistakes in childbirth. Last year, we investigated how whistleblowers within NHS maternity services were silenced and threatened for speaking out. Read more ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/04/whis...

@taraaghdashloo.bsky.social is an award-winning writer, director & artist from Iran. Join her this Monday at our event exploring cinema in Iran, following a special screening of Jafar Panahi’s IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT. Limited tickets available - book ⬇️ www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...

#Iran: Worrying reports continue to emerge from universities, with armed police and security forces reportedly entering campuses in an attempt to quash ongoing student protests. The students must be protected.

🔵 #SLAPP Risks for Students This interactive workshop explores how legal threats can affect student journalism and provides practical guidance on how to recognise risks, with Gill Phillips (Editorial Legal Consultant) and @nikwilliams.bsky.social (@indexoncensorship.org & UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition)

We are delighted that journalist, activist and community organiser Negin Shiraghaei will join us on Monday for a panel on filmmaking in #Iran. The conversation will follow a special screening of Jafar Panahi's new film, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT. Book now ⬇️ www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...

#Afghanistan: Despite having almost all their rights stripped away, Afghan women are refusing to stay silent. They are refusing to give up hope. Read the latest entry in our Letters from Afghan Women campaign and hear Farah’s story ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/unwr...

#Afghanistan: Farah was working to support her family when the Taliban took over. She was forced to give up her job. Now, with her ill mother depending on her, every path to providing support is shut. Read Farah's moving letter about holding onto hope ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/unwr...

The #BBCWorldService is set to run out of funding at the end of March 2026. It must be defended not defunded. Read our open letter to Yvette Cooper calling on her to provide urgent clarity on the matter ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/the-...

EVENT: Join Index CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social in conversation with Fiona Sze-Lorrain and Dechen Pemba for the launch of their new book Ocean, As Much As Rain: Stories, Lyrical Prose, and Poems from Tibet by Tsering Woeser. 📅 17:15 on 11 March 2026 Book: www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/...

Today marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of #Ukraine. Four years of senseless bloodshed. We continue to unequivocally condemn the violence and aggression and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Revisit some of our coverage since the invasion⬇️

#Mexico is one of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists. Today, we're sounding the alarm too as reporters face even greater danger. The pattern has been going on too long. We urge authorities to act NOW to guarantee their safety and break this cycle of impunity.

Just one week until our special screening of Jafar Panahi’s IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT at Phoenix Cinema, London. With an introduction from Panahi and a panel on #Iran and the power of film to challenge authoritarianism. Reserve your seat ⬇️ www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...

🚨 Announcing Session 4 of the #UKMFF2026 Countering #SLAPPs: UK Legislation & Press Freedom 🗓️ 5 March | 15:10–16:20 How can the UK strengthen protections against #SLAPPs and defend #MediaFreedom? mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/

#Slovakia: Saturday marked eight years since the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová. They were killed in retaliation for Kuciak’s investigative reporting into corruption. Author Michal Hvorecký reflects on Kuciak’s legacy ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/eigh...

#UK: We've sent a letter to Yvette Cooper expressing deep concern that funding for the BBC World Service is due to run out at the end of March. We urge the government to confirm a long-term funding arrangement to ensure their vital work continues ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/the-...

#Hungary: This April, Hungarians will head to the polls in what is sure to be a defining election for the country but also the future of #Europe. Our editor @sallygimson.bsky.social reflects on a recent trip across central Europe⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/inde...

Just one week until our special screening of Jafar Panahi’s IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT at Phoenix Cinema, London. With an introduction from Panahi and a panel on #Iran and the power of film to challenge authoritarianism. Reserve your seat ⬇️ www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...

#Iran: We call for the protection of protesters amid reports that students on campus are being met with violence as they demand justice for those killed.

#China 🇨🇳 Scholar Dan Chen on censorship in China. “Televised criticism of local officials contrasts with the taboo on criticism of central government officials, agencies & policies – a taboo that is enforced by brutal suppression.” @indexoncensorship.org

🥁 The European SLAPP Contest 2026 is back! ✨ Nominations are open now: tinyurl.com/4vj45ac5 Which legal bully or egregious gag lawsuit deserves to be named and shamed this year? 🎭 Help us identify 2025's biggest SLAPP bullies and see them crowned live on stage in Sofia, Bulgaria on 28 April.

The old order is breaking up in #Europe. Ahead of the decisive elections in #Hungary this spring, our editor @sallygimson.bsky.social reflects on a recent trip across central Europe ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/inde...

Interested in debates around banning social media for under-16s? The new world order under Trump? China’s global influence? Or transnational repression? Join our weekly newsletter as we unpack the biggest issues shaping free expression today ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/subscribe-to...

Narges Mohammadi is sentenced to more years in prison, this time an extra 7.5 years. Why don’t the Iranian authorities just admit they have no intention of releasing her. Like the tens of thousands they slaughtered they’re terrified of what she has to say.

#Iran: We are deeply concerned by reports that security officials have open fired on a crowd of mourners in Abdanan, west Iran. Shots were fired as people gathered to commemorate those killed in recent protests. The government's brutal crackdown must end.

#UK: A few years ago we launched a campaign to end royal secrecy. Too many files that should be public still aren’t. Following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor today, we’re renewing our call for transparency: www.indexoncensorship.org/2023/01/crow...

As Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears before a jury in a landmark trial on the addictive nature of his social media platforms, journalism student Arthur O’Keefe outlines how short-form videos on Instagram and TikTok are censoring what people see and hear ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/how-...

#Afghanistan: In an incredible act of resistance, women are forming clandestine reading groups in protest against the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education ⬇️ www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

#Kosovo: Index and others express serious concerns about the underfunding of public broadcaster, Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK). A budget shortfall will undermine RTK’s ability to operate independently. Legal budget requirements must be met ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/02/koso...

EVENT: Join Index and Mubi for a special screening of Jafar Panahi’s new film IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, followed by a panel with writer/director/artist @taraaghdashloo.bsky.social and writer/editor Malu Halasa. Plus an introduction from Panahi himself. Book ⬇️ www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinem...