Global freedom of expression organisation Index on Censorship has opened nominations for its annual Awards Fellowship.
Now in their 21st year, the Freedom of Expression Awards honour some of the world’s most remarkable free speech heroes.
The Awards Fellowship is split into three categories – arts, campaigning and journalism – and seeks to honour artists/ art producers, activists/ campaigners, and journalists fighting censorship globally.
The journalism category recognises courageous and determined journalism that exposes censorship, threats to free expression and demands access to information. Entrants could include individual journalists, bloggers, news outlets and investigative nonprofits.
The Fellowship seeks to support activists at all levels and spans the world. Past winners include Honduran investigative journalist Wendy Funes, Russian artist and LGBTQ activist Yulia Tsvetkova, Pakistani education campaigner Malala Yousafzai, Saudi investigative journalist Safa Al Ahmad and South African LGBTQ photographer Zanele Muholi.
All winners become Awards Fellows who receive support from Index throughout the following year. The year commences with a week-long, all-expenses-paid residential in London (April 2021) with workshops, training and public events. Index will work with the fellows to significantly enhance the impact, profile and sustainability of their work.
The 2021 awards shortlist will be announced in early 2021, selected by a high-profile panel of judges.
Winners will be announced in London at a ceremony in April 2021 which will also mark Index’s 50th anniversary.
Nominations are open until 1 October 2020 and can be made here.
