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''Index on Censorship'' is a Magazine founded by the British writer Stephen Spender in 1972 to monitor and promote Freedom Of Speech . Initially, it focused on censorship in the former Soviet Union . In the UK , ''Index'' is supported by the Writers' And Scholars' Educational Trust . The American sponsor for ''Index'' is the Fund For Free Expression . The magazine has a circulation of around 5,000. ''Index on Censorship'' is a member of the International Freedom Of Expression Exchange , a global network of Non-governmental Organisations that monitors Censorship worldwide and campaigns to defend journalists, writers, Internet users and others who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression. It is also a member of the Tunisia Monitoring Group , a coalition of 15 free expression organisations that lobbies the Tunisia n government to improve its human rights record. Each year, the magazine holds a fundraising dinner where it gives out Freedom of Expression Awards to courageous journalists, writers, lawyers, campaigners, filmmakers and whistleblowers who have made a significant contribution to free expression over the past year. CONTENTS Issues are usually organised by theme, and contain a country-by-country list of recent cases involving censorship, restrictions on Freedom Of The Press and other Free Speech violations. Occasionally, ''Index on Censorship'' publishes short works of fiction and poetry by notable new writers. THEO VAN GOGH CONTROVERSY In November 2004, ''Index on Censorship'' attracted controversy for publishing an article that, to many readers, seemed to condone or justify the murder of Dutch film-maker Theo Van Gogh . The article, written by the magazine's Associate Editor Rohan Jayasekera , claimed that van Gogh was a "free-speech fundamentalist" who had been on a "martyrdom operation roar[ing his Muslim critics into silence with obscenities" in an "abuse of his right to free speech". Describing van Gogh's film ''Submission'' as "furiously provocative", Jayasekera concluded by describing his death as: :A sensational climax to a lifetime's public performance, stabbed and shot by a bearded fundamentalist, a message from the killer pinned by a dagger to his chest, Theo van Gogh became a martyr to free expression. His passing was marked by a magnificent barrage of noise as Amsterdam hit the streets to celebrate him in the way the man himself would have truly appreciated. :And what timing! Just as his long-awaited biographical film of Pim Fortuyn 's life is ready to screen. Bravo, Theo! Bravo! {Link without Title} There were many protests from both left- and right-wing commentators. Nick Cohen of the London '' Observer '' newspaper wrote in December 2004, that: :When I asked Jayasekera if he had any regrets, he said he had none. He told me that, like many other readers, I shouldn't have made the mistake of believing that ''Index on Censorship'' was against censorship, even murderous censorship, on principle -- in the same way as Amnesty International is opposed to torture, including murderous torture, on principle. It may have been so its radical youth, but was now as concerned with fighting 'hate speech' as protecting free speech. {Link without Title} Ursula Owen, editor-in-chief of ''Index on Censorship'', apologised in mid-December 2004 for publishing the article, saying she didn't think "the tone is right" However, she said she would not remove it from the magazine's online archives nor fire Jayasekera. She repudiated Cohen's opinions in a letter to the Observer. [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,6903,1376833,00.html . Jayasekera himself expressed a measure of regret about the article and wrote a follow-up article explaining his reasons for criticising van Gogh {Link without Title} . EXTERNAL LINK |
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