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...

#HongKong 🇭🇰 “The National Security Law itself, which Jimmy Lai has been charged under, is an affront to free speech, masquerading as justice when instead its sole purpose is to criminalise and crush opposition voices,” said @indexoncensorship.org buff.ly/3alohpb

Have you ever not posted something because of how it might be received? 👀 We’re surveying Gen Z about: - social media use - self-censorship - free speech today It’s quick, anonymous, and helps shape real research. Take the survey & share with friends: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/gen-...

After a hitman tried to kill Can Dündar outside a courtroom in #Turkey, he pursued a whistleblower & uncovered the assassination plot. Now in exile, he speaks to Index editor @sallygimson.bsky.social about his book I Met My Killer & Turkey today: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/can-...

The arrest of #GretaThunberg today for a peaceful protest shines more light on the free-speech implications of the UK’s terrorism legislation. Her arrest follows those of hundreds of others for peacefully protesting the proscription of Palestine Action www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

My latest piece for @indexoncensorship.org looks into the >50 event cancellations since 2021 which are because of political issues: The use of the excuse “force majeure” has been on the rise, as the organisers can’t publicly explain where the pressure comes from

In #HongKong, the authorities are using the blanket term of force majeure to stifle events and voices which they find uncomfortable. Journalist @krislc.bsky.social reports ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/in-h...

In an apparent new wave of media censorship in the #US, CBS editor-in-chief #BariWeiss has pulled a 60 Minutes segment on the harsh prison in El Salvador where #Trump deported Venezuelans from the US earlier this year: www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...

🗣️ Do you censor yourself online? Index wants to hear from Gen Z (born 1997–2012) about free speech and social media. ⏱️ Takes 2 minutes 🔒 Anonymous 📅 Closes Friday 9 January 2026 Take the survey: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/gen-...

The year’s almost over and authoritarians have been busy. From gagging journalists to criminalising dissent, attacks on free speech have reached new lows. But which ruler has truly outdone the rest? Cast your vote for Tyrant of the Year 2025 ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/tyra...

Read the latest piece in our Letters from Afghan Women series, where a young Afghan woman writes about the devastating loss of her freedom and how she continues to hold on to hope despite threats to her life: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/a-he...

Index editor @sallygimson.bsky.social reflects on a recent trip to #Serbia, as student protests have triggered an intensified crackdown on human rights. Protesters are being intimidated, journalists attacked and activists persecuted ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/on-t...

NEW ISSUE! Gen Z have been taking to the streets this summer. They haven’t got a common ideology but they are angry about the state of world and feel hopeless they will now be silenced. Learn more ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/gen-...

#Brazil 🇧🇷 @indexoncensorship.org covers how Meta removed multiple Brazilian left-wing influencers from Instagram, with politicians calling the bans a “direct attack on freedom of speech” and on voices denouncing corruption and police violence.

As the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday in #Morocco, let's remember the 1000s of Gen Z protesters arrested & beaten for taking to the streets. Many are now being prosecuted, some already sentenced to 1000s of years in prison. Omar Radi reports⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/disc...

In the wake of the Bondi atrocity and subsequent policing of "globalise the intifada" by the Met & Greater Manchester Police, Index's Jemimah Steinfeld & Trevor Phillips consider the complexities of policing speech & our responsibility to speak with care: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/shou...

We condemn the arson attack on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in #Bangladesh. Thankfully, no journalists were killed. We call for an investigation into the attack: www.ndtv.com/world-news/b...

Our final newsletter of 2025 is about to drop with our review of the year in free expression. Don't miss it, subscribe now ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/subscribe-to...

So many world rulers have done unspeakable damage to free expression in 2025. Yet, only one can be crowned Tyrant of the Year. Who will take the title? That's up to you. See the full list of nominees and cast your vote! ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/tyra...

"The government signposts end-to-end encryption as a threat, but what they fail to consider is that breaking it would be a threat to our national security too." Our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social on the urgent need to protect end-to-end encryption: www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-priv...

Index is hiring! Are you committed to defending free expression and supporting impactful journalism & advocacy work? We are looking for a Development Officer to help drive our fundraising strategy and strengthen the organisation. APPLY: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/inde...

The anti-Putin punk band #PussyRiot has been designated an 'extremist' organisation by #Russia. Its members have something to say ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/puti...

CALLING ALL GEN Z 📣 Have you ever censored what you post on social media? Tell us more, take our short survey ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/gen-...

Read The Impartiality Project, a new independent report looking at how organisations including Index on Censorship understand the effects of ideological polarisation on censorship ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/is-i...

Ten leaders. One grim title. Tyrant of the Year 2025 polls are OPEN. We’re calling out those who shocked the world with fresh crackdowns on free expression this year. Cast your vote on the leader who has done the most damage ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/tyra...

Europe’s real censorship problem isn’t what President #Trump claims. As Hungarian rights campaigner Géza Buzás-Hábel faces a criminal investigation for organising a peaceful Pride march, it’s clear the far right is working to silence minority voices: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/euro...

In February, Index's @katiedd.bsky.social will speak at the conference After Section 28: LGBTQIA+ Rights in an Age of Censorship and Backlash to talk about the creep of censorship across education and public institutions. Get tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/after...

Play the Online Safety Act snakes & ladders game 🐍🎲Break end-to-end encryption, and it’s a lose–lose for everyone’s safety and privacy. Our latest report explains why ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/new-...

"The President’s actions send a stark signal to everyone who attempts to hold him accountable to the same standard of presidents before him." Read the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition’s statement condemning #Trump’s legal threat against the #BBC: antislapp.uk/2025/12/09/t...

Watch live: A petition to repeal the UK’s Online Safety Act is being debated in Parliament right now. We urge the government to rethink breaking end-to-end encryption which endangers all of our privacy and safety: www.youtube.com/live/7ixue9r...

A petition to repeal the UK’s Online Safety Act will be debated in Parliament at 4:30pm today. As MPs gather to debate it, we urge the government to rethink breaking end-to-end encryption which endangers journalism at home and around the world: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/inve...

In 2025, leaders across the world attacked freedom of expression, curtailed protest rights and imprisoned critical voices. But who was the very worst? Vote now for the 2025 Tyrant of the Year ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/tyra...

As #JimmyLai’s guilty verdict is announced, #HongKong’s opposition Democratic Party has confirmed it will disband. A dark day for democracy in Hong Kong: hongkongfp.com/2025/12/14/b...

We condemn the guilty verdict issued to Jimmy Lai today. This has been a sham trial from start to finish - the most grotesque display of how far Hong Kong has fallen from free to authoritarian. Our statement ⬇ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/jimm...

We’re delighted by reports via Viasna that Maria Kalesnikava, Maxim Znak, Ales Bialiatski and others have been freed from prison in #Belarus. They should never have been imprisoned. Now, all remaining political prisoners in Belarus must be released: spring96.org/be/news/119262

Distressing news from #Iran where Nobel peace prize laureate #NargesMohammadi has reportedly been violently arrested while attending a memorial service. Mohammadi was granted temporary leave from prison last year. We call for her immediate release: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Meta's refusal to reinstate Brazilian influencer Thiago Torres' account is the latest in a growing standoff between #Brazil’s left-wing government and big tech. Politicians are calling it political an attack on free speech while Meta offers no explanation: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/12/meta...