Friday, 14 February 2020

2020 Awards shortlist: Using rap and YouTube satire to protect free speech

Hip-hop, satirical YouTube videos, a youth arts festival and rap are some of the ways in which art is being used today to protest against restrictions on freedom of expression.

Four individuals and organisations have been shortlisted in the arts category for Index on Censorship’s 2020 Freedom of Expression Awards, which will be held at the May Fair Hotel in London on 30 April. The arts is one of the four categories that will be recognised at the awards, alongside campaigning, digital activism and journalism.

Read about this year's nominees.

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Free Speech and Index: a love letter

Today, 14 February 2020 – Valentine’s Day – marks our CEO Jodie Ginsberg's last day at Index on Censorship after nearly six years at the helm. She shares a love letter to free speech and the organisation that has spent nearly 50 years defending it.

Read Jodie's love letter

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We're hiring: Do you think you could be our new chief executive?

When Index on Censorship was founded nearly 50 years ago, few could have foreseen the manner in which technology would now be changing the ways we engage with politics and democracy. Although the landscape of communication has changed, threats to freedom of expression remain as grave as they were 50 years ago – in the UK and around the world.

Could you be the resourceful and outspoken leader we need to steer our organisation through this changing terrain? Find out more about the role of CEO here

Facial recognition goes live on British streets

London's Metropolitan Police carried out a live facial recognition trial in Stratford this week. Again, the technology has proved controversial. The UK's biometrics commissioner denied the Met's claim that he supported the use of LFR, saying it was for parliament to decide whether it should be used.

No arrests were made during the trial and many people covered their faces as they passed the trial site.

Together with Big Brother Watch and other organisations, Index on Censorship is a signatory of a joint statement calling on UK police and private companies to immediately stop using LFR for public surveillance.

Big Brother Watch's petition to the Met Police and the Home Secretary has gained more than 29,000 signatures in the 24 hours following the trial.

Index on Censorship defends people's freedom to express themselves without fear of harm or persecution. We publish censored writers and artists, monitor and campaign against censorship, and encourage debate.

We rely on donations from readers and supporters. By donating to Index you help us to protect freedom of expression and to support those who are denied that right.