Tonight, the winners of Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expression Awards 2025 will be announced at a ceremony in London. Meet the 2025 nominees in the arts, campaigning and journalism categories: www.indexoncensorship.org/the-2025-fre...

As the #BBC faces a multi-billion dollar lawsuit from US president #DonaldTrump plus political pressure at home, #Hungary journalist @viktoriaserdult.bsky.social reminds us of the importance of an impartial public service broadcaster to democracy: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/a-wa...

Roma lost her job when the Taliban took over, she has an ill child at home & struggles to afford proper medical care. She said writing this letter was the best thing that has happened to her in years. I'm thrilled we @indexoncensorship.org could publish it. www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/we-l...

Introducing Letters from Afghan Women, a project giving women inside #Afghanistan a platform to speak freely. In the 1st letter, Roma Ayuobi talks about her day-to-day reality & her hope that women will one day have the chance to fight for a better future: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/we-l...

"If we want to protect a pluralistic speech environment, the threshold for criminal speech must remain very high" our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social told @dailymail.co.uk in response to the alarming number of people being arrested for social media posts: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

We welcome the Online Safety Act (OSA) parliament debate which will take place next month. We have issues around OSA in it's current form, particularly on encryption: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...

We've been reporting on the perils of speaking out in #Mexico for years. Not only does the government seem completely unable to deal with the situation, it seems to only be getting worse. We are monitoring the situation and stand with the protestors who demand change.

Last week, we joined @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social for a panel celebrating #MargaretAtwood’s career and the launch of her memoir, Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts. With Index's Sally Gimson, Naomi Alderman, Lennie Goodings, Mona Sinha and Lisa Allardice. Many thanks to all who joined us.

The courts are being weaponised to silence survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Our new report sets out the urgent changes needed to protect them, including universal anti-SLAPP legislation to ensure no voice goes unheard. Read the report ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/the-...

#AsiaPacific 🌏 Burmese artist Sai survived #Myanmar’s coup only to face Chinese embassy–backed censorship in #Thailand. “This was another international-level absurdity happening – the absurdity of transnational repression,” he told @indexoncensorship.org. buff.ly/Evv8JE8

Today, the Scottish Government published its report following the consultation on #SLAPPs. It includes an agreement from the Government: "the law should be reformed to address SLAPPs and would intend to do so at the next legislative opportunity.” ⬇️ antislapp.uk/2025/11/13/s...

History has always been contested, but #AI is making it easier than ever to rewrite the past. Salil Tripathi explores how history is at risk of being overly simplified, erasing marginalised voices: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/hist...

The courts are being weaponised to silence survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Our new report sets out the urgent changes needed to protect them, including universal anti-SLAPP legislation to ensure no voice goes unheard. Read the report ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/the-...

"What bothers me is that the Algerian president announced he had 'pardoned' him. The word 'pardon' sends chills down my spine, since he is guilty of nothing" - Nathalie Azoulai. We welcome #BoualemSansal's release. He should never have been imprisoned: www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...

Tonight, Index’s Sally Gimson joins a panel celebrating #MargaretAtwood’s immense career and the launch of her memoir, Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts. With Naomi Alderman, Lennie Goodings, Mona Sinha and Lisa Allardice.

We condemn yesterday's verdict against poet Mohamed Tadjadit, sentencing him to an additional 5 years in prison. Tadjadit is being persecuted for his poetry and peaceful activism. We call for his immediate and unconditional release: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/join...

Reporting on economic crime is, on paper, protected against #SLAPPs. But do the protections work? Dan Neidle is looking to find out. Read more from the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition here: antislapp.uk/2025/11/12/d... @danneidle.bsky.social

We stand in solidarity today with imprisoned poet Mohamed Tadjadit as he faces court on baseless charges. His persecution is a serious breach of Algeria’s obligations to international human rights law: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/join...

Indian authorities have arrested people protesting about Delhi's pollution. Clean air should not be a luxury and protesting about it should not be a crime: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

Today, Index and others call for the release of Algerian poet #MohamedTadjadit ahead of upcoming court dates. If found guilty, he could face the death penalty. Tadjadit is being persecuted for his poetry and peaceful activism. All charges must be dropped: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/join...

Is academic freedom at risk in the #UK? Following reports of Beijing’s influence at Sheffield Hallam University last week, our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social examines how funding pressures and cultural conformity are threatening free expression on campus: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/is-a...

#Iran: We condemn the sentencing of a school teacher to 15 years in prison over "insulting" Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei among other charges. Forugh Khosravi's arrest is part of a wider crackdown by the state on dissenting voices: iranwire.com/en/women/146...

After a fierce crackdown on protests, Tanzanian authorities have now arrested members of the opposition. This comes after the highly disputed elections last week. President Samia Suluhu Hassan must cease her crackdown on critical voices: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

Today, Index and others call for the release of Algerian poet #MohamedTadjadit ahead of upcoming court dates. If found guilty, he could face the death penalty. Tadjadit is being persecuted for his poetry and peaceful activism. All charges must be dropped: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/join...

Latest Foreign Desk on Monocle Radio. Attempting to get to the bottom of the global Gen Z protests, with Imane Zoubai, @gunarajluitel.bsky.social, Sally Gimson of @indexoncensorship.org and @jamesrball.com. monocle.com/radio/shows/...

The #UK Government’s disappointing response to transnational repression in a recent report will not offer the protection & supported needed by those targeted for speaking out in the public interest. Read our open letter to #ShabanaMahmood ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/a-le...

In #Yemen, years of war have forced many to take jobs once considered outside societal norms. Journalist Khalil Ali speaks to those who have broken taboos in order to survive amid the ongoing conflict: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/brea...

When Sai fled #Myanmar, the last thing he expected was to be forced into exile again - this time for transnational repression. @antonialangford.bsky.social speaks to Sai about how #China’s attempt to silence his art show amplified its message instead: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/how-...

Enjoyed discussing the ethics of AI-generated content, the social harms posed by AI chatbots and what it all means for free speech with @tanyagoodin.bsky.social Henry Shevlin Jonathan Hall KC, @sahartahvili.bsky.social @jordicalbad.bsky.social and Susie Alegre. Free to read for a limited time only!

A joint mission to #Hungary last month by @coemediafreedom.bsky.social found a severely restricted media environment ahead of elections next year: ➡️ Harassment of journalists ➡️ Targeting of media outlets ➡️ Legal harassment against journalists & media + more: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/hung...

In her latest for Index, journalist @ruthsgreen.bsky.social looks at the increasing complexities around the ethics of #AI-generated content. Who (or what) is responsible? ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/the-...

18-year-old musician #DianaLoginova has been sentenced to 13 days in jail for her viral performances of anti-Kremlin songs. She faces a second charge of discrediting the army through her music. We condemn her arrest and call for her release: www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/10/29/s...

Academic freedom in the UK is being eroded. For years we have been investigating - and revealing - the extent of Beijing's influence: www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Thank you to @eurozine.bsky.social for reviewing our latest magazine issue, Truth, trust & tricksters in the age of AI! Read the review ⬇️ www.eurozine.com/truth-trust-...

Martha Otwinowski highlights the tightrope German cultural institutions are treading in relation to Israel-Palestine since 7 October 2024. Exhibitions have been cancelled and professorships withdrawn as organisations fear being accused of antisemitism. Via @indexoncensorship.org

In May, journalist Latif Baloch was murdered by gunmen who entered his home in #Balochistan. The reasons for his murder remain unclear. Journalist Akbar Notezai reports on his assassination and the increasing challenges facing journalists in the region: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Hungary’s most-read newspaper, #Blikk, has been bought by a company allied with Prime Minister Viktor #Orbán. The takeover is yet another way the prime minister is tightening his grip on the media ahead of #Hungary’s election next year: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

We are deeply concerned by the #UK government’s plans to restrict repeat protests. The police already have the power to limit protest. This new amendment threatens to undermine our democratic right to protest even further: www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/govern...

Read our interview with @peterlaufer.bsky.social on his new book Don’t Shoot the Journalists: Migrating to Stay Alive, which tells the story of reporters under fire in an increasingly perilous profession: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Read British actor Simon Callow's moving tribute to his great hero #LaurenceOlivier who he remembers as an astounding physical presence and the last of the actor-managers at the National Theatre: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Worrying news from #Israel: a top military lawyer has been arrested for leaking footage showing the torture of a Palestinian detainee. Essentially branded a traitor, her case raises serious questions about accountability and authoritarian overreach: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Worrying news continues from #Iran where poet and activist Faramarz Se-Dehi has been sentenced to a year in prison in relation to his work. Se-Dehi has reportedly faced continued persecution by the authorities for his cultural and artistic activities: iranwire.com/en/society/1...

Eurozine is deeply saddened by the death of Judith Vidal-Hall, editor of @indexoncensorship.org from 1993–2006 and a longstanding member of Eurozine’s advisory board. We recall the deep and lasting mark she made on the network. www.eurozine.com/judith-vidal...

As #Slovakia’s Prime Minister #RobertFico intensifies his attacks on international dialogue and the media, the Šimečková family is fighting back. Read our latest newsletter on how they remain defiant in the face of the PM's campaign against them: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/the-...

I translated three letters written by "Get" Sophon Surattithamrong, currently imprisoned for lese majeste in Thailand for @indexoncensorship.org. Get writes with an expansive solidarity and links past and present struggles in Thailand to the history of #Gwangju and the #MilkTeaAlliance.

For years we have been investigating - and revealing - the UK erosion of academic freedom because of Beijing. Despite being back on track, the halting of research by Sheffield Hallam University shows just how prevalent it is & why we must address it: www.theguardian.com/education/20...

"We live in hope that this nightmare will one day end." We mourn the death of #MohamedKhamisDouda, killed when the #RapidSupportForces overran the city of El Fasher. Douda's death raises fears that civil society actors are being systematically targeted: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

New report 🚨 Media freedom in #Bulgaria: a joint mission by the @coemediafreedom.bsky.social and @mediafreedomeu.bsky.social, including Index, has found that fragile progress on media freedom in the country is at risk of backsliding without urgent reform ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/urge...

In the age of online information, it feels harder than ever to stay informed. To help you cut through the noise, each Friday we publish a roundup of the key stories covering free expression. From the #Tanzania to #Vietnam here are the top stories ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/week...

Eurozine is very saddened to hear of the death of Judith Vidal-Hall (1938–2025), a former editor of @indexoncensorship.org, former Eurozine editorial board member, and member of Eurozine’s advisory board since 2005. She will be deeply missed by the network and wider community.