Index on Censorship
Description
Index on Censorship promotes and protects freedom of expression as a universal human right. It draws on Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. As a general principle, it advocates for more speech rather than less.
It argues that expression should only be restricted in narrow circumstances, such as direct incitement to violence. It monitors whether such restrictions are being misused to justify unwarranted clampdowns. The organisation has published a magazine featuring censored writers and artists for over 50 years. It describes free expression as needing constant vigilance to survive.
Index issues public statements and joint statements with partner organisations on threats to journalists and free expression around the world. These have covered countries including Serbia, Kosovo, Hungary, Algeria and Hong Kong. It also campaigns on issues such as library access to banned books in the UK and funding for public broadcasters.
It participates in the Media Freedom Rapid Response coalition and the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists. This has included fact-finding missions to countries such as Serbia and Kosovo. It also gives an annual Freedom to Publish Award to writers who have shown bravery in publishing against pressure from powerful people or institutions.
Latest news
We are but mere infants in the BBC’s eyes
After the BBC removed sketches from That Mitchell and Webb Look on iPlayer, we wonder if that risks infantilising audiences
25 Sep 2026
Amid Vučić’s crackdowns on dissent, is it time for the EU to rethink its Serbia strategy?
Vital elections take place in Serbia next month – amid growing crackdowns on dissent, how should the European Union approach Aleksandar Vučić’s Serbia?
21 Sep 2026
Statement: Support for researcher Massimo Moratti as he faces expulsion from Serbia
Index and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) express support for researcher Massimo Moratti as he faces expulsion from Serbia
18 Sep 2026
LGBTQ+ activists vow to resist their “very existence” being outlawed
Turkish police detained multiple individuals from LGBTQ+ rights organisations across the country, but this escalation is no surprise
18 Sep 2026
China’s National Security Law censors appear to target vital Hong Kong website
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation continues to fight against China’s National Security Law, but now its website appears to have been blocked for some
17 Sep 2026
At long last, Andrei Aliaksandrau is free
We have called for the release of Andrei Aliaksandrau from jail in Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s Belarus for years – we are overjoyed to learn he is free
16 Sep 2026
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