As tensions escalate in Northern Ireland, press freedom is increasingly under threat

Photo: Whiteabbey

Over the last two years, dozens of journalists in Northern Ireland have been threatened by both loyalist and republican paramilitary groups for their work in exposing criminality and the grip these gangs still have on communities.

Those threats, mainly from loyalists, have escalated in recent times and are having a detrimental impact on press freedom in Northern Ireland, writes Patricia Devlin.

Russia: Index expresses concern over the arrest of Doxa journalists

Index on Censorship has expressed concern over four student journalists charged with allegedly inciting minors to take part in criminal activity.

Armen Aramyan, Alla Gutnikova, Vladimir Metelkin, and Natalia Tyshkevich, journalists at online magazine Doxa – an independent student magazine about the realities of modern university life – were arrested on 14 April. Read about why they should be released without charge here.

Why Index's Freedom of Expression
Awards matter

This week we were interviewing for a new member of the team to help support our work on the Freedom of Expression awards. The joy of interviewing for a new role is that it makes you reflect on what you do and why, even as you’re speaking to the candidates. As I was outlining the importance of the awards, I was reminded of why they are so incredibly important and not just for the winners, but also for the team. The fact is they give us hope, we get to show real solidarity with people who are on the frontline, people who every day are demanding their rights and protections under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read our CEO Ruth Smeeth's latest blog here.