More incidents of violence against journalists in Ukraine

Index on Censorship’s Monitoring and Advocating for Media Freedom project tracks press freedom violations in five countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. There were at least 10 incidents against journalists and journalism in Ukraine in September alone, ranging from pushing and shoving to revocation of broadcasting licences – even death threats.

Jessica Ní Mhainín, Index policy research and advocacy officer said: “Last month we saw lawsuits and fines being used to silence journalists in Belarus, physical violence targeting journalists in Ukraine and Azerbaijan, and journalists being charged with terrorism-related offences in Turkey. Multiple means were used to silence journalists in Russia, including arrests and threats.”

Vigil for murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia

Index was also one of the co-sponsors of this month’s London vigil for murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The event marked two years since the assassination of Malta’s best-known investigative journalist and anti-corruption campaigner. Although three men have now been formally charged with her murder, a date for their trial has yet to be set while those who ordered her killing remain at large.

To honour her memory and to keep calling for justice, there were candlelight vigils in London, Malta and other European cities, which attracted attendees from the Maltese communities and beyond, including Turkish author Elif Shafak, who spoke at the London vigil.

Index on the road

Index on Censorship is currently holding a set of college events across the USA as part of its Free Speech Is For Me programme. The campus tour coincides with Free Speech Week, a national event to promote free speech and freedom of the press in the USA.

CEO Jodie Ginsberg led a workshop for secondary school students on freedom of speech as part of Integrity 20 – an Australia conference that encourages participants to examine big-picture questions – and on Friday, she will be part of a panel discussing media freedom. Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award winner Mimi Mefo, from Cameroon, was also due to speak but was denied a visa so was unable to attend.

More news and features from Index on Censorship

Resonance FM: Trouble on the borders

Index on Censorship magazine editors Jemimah Steinfeld and Rachael Jolley have been discussing the latest issues surrounding borders in a podcast. They talk about how journalists are being stopped at borders while travelling by officials demanding their social media passwords and access to their photographs, phones, laptops and other devices.

They ask whether any of us would want our personal information being scrutinised and maybe denying us access to certain countries – a particular problem for the LGBT community – and wonder if deleting certain information or leaving technology at home is the answer.

Tech journalist Geoff White also joins them to discuss how much information facial recognition technology can reveal about us – and how you can hide passwords and account details, but you can’t change your face.
You can listen here:

Book explores a country's conflicted soul

Kaya Genç, Index on Censorship’s contributing editor in Turkey, has just published a book which studies the current situation in his country.

Set after the attempted coup in 2016, he says: “The Lion and the Nightingale: A Journey Through Modern Turkey tells the story of Turkey in 2017 – a baffling, troubling, violent year defined by bombings and artistic censorship, political turbulence and angst. I have talked, and travelled, to 12 individuals who live in different parts of Turkey – one of them resides in Hong Kong, but Turkey fills her thoughts around the clock – to see how they spend their hours and days.
“The book renders Turkey’s realities from their perspectives.”

The book is available to buy online and in bookshops now.

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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.

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