Acclaimed writer Fatima Bhutto, Turner Prize-winning sculptor Anish Kapoor and campaigner Ailbhe Smyth will be judging the international Freedom of Expression Awards.
Index on Censorship has announced that writer Fatima Bhutto, artist Anish Kapoor and campaigner Ailbhe Smyth will join a panel of judges to decide the 2021 Freedom of Expression Awards Fellowship winners.
“In these times of grave difficulty when draconian governments all over the world are risking the freedom to report on their control of our lives and of our livelihoods the index for censorship does vital work to keep open the freedom of the press and our freedom of expression and thereby protect our right to protest, our right to disagree and our need to hold government to account. I applaud Index on Censorship for the work it does with artists, journalists, lawyers and many others to help to ensure that the human spirit in us is kept alive,” said renowned British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor CBE.
Index on Censorship is a non-profit that campaigns for and defends free expression worldwide. They publish work by censored writers and artists in their award-winning magazine, and monitor threats to free speech through their advocacy and campaigning work. They believe that everyone should be free to express themselves without fear of harm or persecution, and aim to raise awareness about threats to free expression and the value of free speech.
Since 2001, the Freedom of Expression Awards have celebrated individuals or groups who have had a significant impact fighting censorship anywhere in the world. Awards are offered in four categories: Arts, Campaigning and Journalism. Winners join Index’s Awards Fellowship programme and receive dedicated training and support.
“2020 has seen some horrendous attacks on global free expression, which went underreported due to the realities of Covid-19. Our inspirational judges have big decisions to make this year about who we reward for standing up for our basic right to free speech. I'm delighted to be joining them,” said Ruth Smeeth, CEO of Index on Censorship.
The panel will be chaired by Trevor Phillips. Previous judges include digital campaigner and entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Harry Potter actor Noma Dumezweni, novelist Elif Shafak and award-winning journalist and former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker Tina Brown.
This year’s winners will be announced at a gala celebration in London on 12 September 2021.
