Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the UK and Ireland are being silenced through abusive lawsuits known as SLAPPS, says a new report from @indexoncensorship.org👇 🔗 www.independent.ie/irish-news/c... via @independent.ie #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #EndVAW

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence are being silenced by the very people accused of committing the abuse. 📣Read our new report revealing how abusive legal actions in the UK & Ireland are silencing those who speak out ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/the-...

The UK’s Online Safety Act is being discussed like a cautionary tale and it is very much deserved

Banned Books Week UK returns 5–11 Oct 2025! Join us in celebrating the freedom to read. Whether you’re a bookshop, library, publisher, author or reader - we want you involved. Join the movement: www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw... @hayfestival.bsky.social #BannedBooksWeekUK

A prominent journalist who had previously been threatened by Israel has been killed along with four colleagues in an Israeli airstrike while inside a tent for journalists. Seven people in total were killed in the attack, including three camera operators. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

The Solicitors Regulation Authority announced that a partner at Carter-Ruck will face prosecution for allegedly issuing an 'improper threat of litigation'. We've long called for regulators to #StopSLAPPs & welcome SRA taking steps to hold libel firms accountable: www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/carter-...

We condemn the sentencing of #Georgia journalist #MziaAmaghlobeli to 2 years in prison following an unfair trial. We call for her immediate release: civil.ge/archives/695...

Behind every draconian decision, there's secret evidence ("detailed security assessments") we're not allowed to see. We should just suck it up and believe them. Sorry, Yvette Cooper, that's not how democracy should work. When you make a decision of such consequence, we need to see the basis for it.

In previous cases like this one, going back over two decades to the PKK case, the courts have punted these questions to POAC. It's a measure of how different Palestine Action is that they have not followed this route and have granted leave for JR: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

⚫️ La Direction de l’AFP partage l’angoisse exprimée par la SDJ quant à la situation effroyable de ses collaborateurs dans la bande de Gaza ⬇️

Proud to have signed onto this letter calling for meaningful #Anti-SLAPP measures to be introduced through Ireland’s Defamation Amendment Bill. @indexoncensorship.org @fpcthinktank.bsky.social @peninternational.bsky.social

📚 What’s one book that changed how you see the world? #BannedBooksWeekUK is back! Join us from 5–11 October to celebrate books that have been challenged, removed or silenced, and to stand with the people who write, sell and share them. Get involved! www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/07/bann...

The Defamation (Amendment) Bill fails to protect public interest speech by providing inadequate protections against SLAPPs www.cearta.ie/2025/07/defa... My new blogpost

#Ireland: As the Defamation (Amendment) Bill goes to the Seanad today, we join @indexoncensorship.org and partners in calling on senators to make the necessary amendments to protect freedom of expression. Read our joint statement ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/ireland...

Disappointing & baffling to hear Minister Jim O'Callaghan telling the Seanad now that he hasn't heard of *any* #SLAPP cases in Ireland. His department is aware of specific cases. Cases have been flagged in the media, on the @coemediafreedom.bsky.social & by @casecoalition.bsky.social.

We are disappointed that #Ireland's Defamation (Amendment) Bill fails to protect public interest speech. As the Bill goes to the Seanad today, Index and others call on senators to make the necessary amendments to ensure the protection of free expression: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/07/irel...

Today we are at the Royal Courts of Justice to observe the appeal in the last active SLAPP action brought by the cosmetic surgery firm Signature Clinic. Learn more here ➡️ antislapp.uk/project/cosm... #StopSLAPPs

Today marks 5 years since #HongKong imposed the National Security Law. As a result, thousands have been arrested, newspapers shuttered, pro-democracy groups disbanded and many forced into exile. We reflect on the deterioration of free expression since then: indexoncensorship.org/2025/06/deat...

We celebrate the release of Siarhei Tsikhanouskaya, #Belarus opposition leader who was imprisoned in 2020. He should never have been behind bars. Now, we call for all those who remain unjustly imprisoned to be released: news.sky.com/story/belaru...

TFN is @scvo.scot's magazine for the #VoluntarySector This month @grahamtfn.bsky.social‬ looks at #SLAPPs – legal instruments devised to silence campaigners, with expert input from: @donstaniford.bsky.social @indexoncensorship.org‬ @rogmull.bsky.social‬ and more Read the mag here: buff.ly/yE0a8JQ

"Mikalai Dziadok was not broken, but he was really broken, beaten. There was no blood flowing from him, but his hands and face bore traces of beatings." Read Natallia Matskevich's interview on the brutal treatment of #MikalaiDziadok, imprisoned in #Belarus: www.svaboda.org/a/33433792.h...

The European Convention already does adapt, as its judges apply its protections to new situations to safeguard people’s rights. European leaders need to defend its vital institutions not undermine them www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

It’s not just that she was shot it’s that she was shot purposely for no legitimate reason at all. www.irishtimes.com/video/world/...

“The idea that the police are actively tracking the location of women they believe have had self administered abortions under the guise of ‘safety’ does not make me feel any better about this kind of surveillance,” EFF’s @evacide.bsky.social told @404media.co.

1 hour to go! Join us online for the launch of our new tool Am I Facing a SLAPP? Starting at 12pm today (BST): us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

1 week to go! Join us at Some Great Reward in Glasgow for a listening party to celebrate the music, resistance & solidarity of rapper #ToomajSalehi. Come together in solidarity with him and everyone in #Iran standing up for human rights and democracy: www.indexoncensorship.org/events/were-...

In light of news that a member of #Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence, we remain concerned about the impact this will have on free speech. The bar to charge people for their expression needs to be high. We're concerned such a bar has not been met www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/05/when...

Political prisoner Valiantsin Shtermer has died in Belarus In 2023, he was sentenced to five years in prison for comments condemning Russian aggression. Shtermer is the eighth known #politicalprisoner to lose their life behind bars in #Belarus.

#Belarus Political prisoner Valiantsin Shtermer died under unclear circumstances after being sentenced to five years in 2023 for eight online comments condemning #Russia’s aggression. Despite suffering a stroke and barely being able to walk, he was thrown into solitary confinement. So tragic.

On World Press Freedom Day, 6 journalists from around the globe tell Index what press freedom means to them. Afghan journalist Spozhmai Maani reminds us of the importance of protecting journalists who risk everything to bring the truth to light: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/05/worl... #WPFD2025

In times of war, free expression isn't always clean cut - the cases of #Kneecap, #JonnyGreenwood and #DuduTassa are good examples. Read our deep dive into the murky waters of free expression, protest and cultural boycotts ⬇️ www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/05/when...

A Chinese activist who hung three protest banners calling for political reform on an overpass this month has disappeared. He was detained and his location is now unknown.

Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue in universities in #India. Yet, the victims are encouraged to stay silent. Journalists Hanan Zaffar and Samridhi Kapoor report for Index: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Thank you to Artnet for covering our statement in support of @badiucao.bsky.social, who faces legal action from Art Innovation Gallery. We reiterate our call for the gallery to withdraw its legal threats and cease all further harassment of the artist: news.artnet.com/art-world/ba...

#HongKong 🇭🇰 IFEX joins more than 40 groups in expressing solidarity with cartoonist @badiucao.bsky.social. "Badiucao must be applauded for his efforts to creatively challenge censorship and authoritarianism in such a repressive regime." @indexoncensorship.org

Book bans are on the rise in the #UK, predominantly targeting books with themes of LBGTQ+, race and empire. Unlike in the #US, there's no system to track or record these bans: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a... 1/2

We join @indexoncensorship.org and 40+ other organisations standing in solidarity with author, artist & political cartoonist @badiucao.bsky.social against the repression of freedom of expression in #HongKong. www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/04/the-...

I am deeply grateful and honored to have such powerful support from 40+ organisations from around the world stand in solidarity as I face legal harassment in relation to my recent protest art 'Here and Now' in Hong Kong. www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/04/the-...

Ever since @badiucao.bsky.social managed to "show up" in Hong Kong via his art project, he's been called a criminal and threatened with a lawsuit — not by China, but by a European art agency. 40+ rights groups issue a statement. Via @indexoncensorship.org: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/04/the-...

🇨🇳🇲🇾🇻🇳🇰🇭 Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit Southeast Asian countries Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia next week. At a time when the US just kicked these countries in the face, Xi making the trip from Beijing will come across as stable, genius.

📢EVENT: AM I FACING A SLAPP? Join Index on 27 May for an online webinar to launch our “Am I Facing a SLAPP?” tool. The tool supports anyone facing legal threats or actions and wants to know if their experience could amount to a SLAPP. Register: www.indexoncensorship.org/events/am-i-...

🏆Congratulations to Signature Clinic for winning Farcical Threat of the Year award at the #EuropeanSLAPPContest! The cosmetic surgery clinic won for their aggressive legal actions against former patients & a patient advocate. Find out more: antislapp.uk/2025/04/08/e... @casecoalition.bsky.social

🚨 Tomorrow, we turn the spotlight Europe's most committed legal bullies! 🏆 Who will take home a trophy for their tireless efforts in silencing criticism at the #EuropeanSLAPPContest 2025? 🎞️🎥 Tune in LIVE at 19h CET to find out: youtube.com/live/e149PFs... #StopSLAPPs

The Taliban’s persecution of musicians in Afghanistan; how performing the wrong songs became deadly in Turkey; a fresh wave of repressions against popular music in Cuba; and the stigmatization of drill in the UK @indexoncensorship.org www.eurozine.com/muzzled-music/

I've been arguing for years that universities need to do a significantly better job of preparing students and scholars for travel to countries presenting serious speech concerns. It should deeply disturb us that this warning is now being given for scholars entering the US. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Happy Mother’s Day! I’m raising a large cup of tea to these incredible women who are standing up to authoritarians to save their families. @indexoncensorship.org #freealaa #belarus www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/03/moth...

The SRA discontinued @eliothiggins.bsky.social complaint against Discreet Law who represented the warlord Prigozhin. Too many questions remain, so that is why the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition has written to the regulator. Read the letter here: antislapp.uk/2025/03/28/q... #stopSLAPPs 1/3

What was dumber: including a journalist on a signal chat about your bomb plans or then calling that journalist “bottom scum” while he still had the screenshots available to publish as your colleagues were already committing perjury