Index on Censorship

John is Chief Executive of Index on Censorship, one of the leading organisations that probes abuses of freedom of expression in the UK and around the world. Go to Index's website for some of the most original, challenging and intelligent writing on the issues. Index has been a the forefront of some of the most important campaigns, notably the Libel Reform Campaign. Also, check out our lively calendar of global events and other news on
www.indexoncensorship.org
or via twitter @indoncensorship

On 6 January 2012 John announced that he will step down as CEO of Index at the end of March. From Feb 2012 he will become a part-time adviser to Google on free expression and culture issues and will assist the Global Network Initiative. He will also be working on a new book.
See here for press release

Freedom for Sale

Freedom for Sale

My laest book Freedom For Sale was published in hardback version in 2009 to strong acclaim. It was listed as a Book of the Year in both the Evening Standard and The Observer. It was a finalist in the 2010 Orwell Prize. The same year it was published in paperback. It has also been published in the United States, and it has been translated into Spanish and Italian. A Russian version will be published in due course.

For more information click here.

To buy the book from Amazon click here.

Review: Consent of the Networked by Rebecca Mackinnon
This thoroughly researched study finds fundamental freedom of information under constant threat in our online age
Observer, 12 February 2012

For Russia and China, the Arab Spring only offers a warning
Russia has benefited hugely from trade deals with Syria. It is its main weapons supplier
Independent, 6 February 2012

Lucky Dave’s show goes on as an(other) irritant departs
The departure of Christ Huhne from the sensitive post in charge of climate change policy changes the choreography of the cabinet
FT, 4 February 2012

Review: Outside In by Peter Hain
Peter Hain's memoir is the story of a radical turned political misfit
Observer, 29 January 2012

Leveson must not delay reform of our dreadful libel laws
It’s bad when the creators of South Park satirise our system
The Times, 24 January 2012

A public mood that won't stand for corporate greed any longer
When it came to the bonus culture and tax loopholes, it took years for politicians to catch up with popular discontent
Independent, 20 January 2012

Abbott's law - you must not overreact to Twitter
Too often Twitter militates against the development of an argument beyond the soundbite
Independent, 6 January 2012

Brazil's success heralds the new world order
This historic economic shift has huge implications for our sense of identity and our role in the world
Independent, 29 December 2011

Call it the Tracey Emin effect: art overcoming austerity outside London
Turner, Hepworth, FirstSite – the success of new galleries is making the case for culture-led regeneration
Guardian, 27 December 2011

How did Obama end up appeasing the neocons?
The President will continue to mind his conservative flank, particularly on security and law and order
Independent, 23 December 2011

Nick Clegg can only deliver on this rhetoric with Labour
For all the bad feeling of the last 18 months, their common interests remain. The left should start to think big
Guardian, 20 December 2011

Silent Liberal Democrats are left on the sidelines
The Europhobes hold sway in every corner of the Conservative party. They have a simple goal: withdrawal from the EU
Independent, 10 December 2011

Nick Clegg's right. It's time to start means-testing pensioners
It's not 'misery' to have to cancel a holiday. As the wealth gap grows, we must focus on young people looking for work
Guardian, 6 December 2011

The economic crisis poses a threat to European democracy
Politicians and central bankers have long since ditched the stricture – don't spook the markets
Independent, 5 December 2011

Events & Media

Recent highlights:

29 Jan  - presented What The Papers Say on BBC Radio 4

24 Jan 2012 - appeared before the Leveson Inquiry into culture and ethics of the press

6 Nov - appeared on BBC1's Newswatch and Radio 4's Week in Westminster

14 Nov - spoke on panel on future of journalism at Society of Editors conference

14 Nov - appeared before House of Lords inquiry into privacy and super-injunctions

8 Nov - spoke at CentreForum conference on interventionism with Paddy Ashdown

1 Nov - spoke at Wilton Park/Foreign Office Cyber conference

21 Oct - gave presentation in New York on libel reform campaign

4 Oct - spoke on panel at Conservative conference on phone hacking

25 Sept - presented What The Papers Say on BBC Radio 4

18 Sept - spoke on panel at Liberal Democrat conference on phone hacking

2 Sept - appeared on Any Questions, BBC Radio 4

30 August - spoke at World Forum, Alpbach, Austria

20 August - presented Beyond Westminster, BBC Radio 4

Appearances on 24-hour news and other broadcast outlets are not individually listed

Turner Contemporary, Margate

Turner Contemporary

John is Chair of the board of Turner Contemporary, one of the UK's highest profile art galleries. The opening of the gallery in Margate in April 2011 received plaudits around the world, and it is regarded as one of the UK's most important culture-driven regeneration projects. The latest exhibition, its third, is "Turner and the Elements", which opened on 28 January 2012 to wide acclaim. The number of people who visited the gallery in its first nine months was over 350,000 - more than double the number predicted for the whole first year.

On 11 November 2011, the gallery welcomed the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
Click here for BBC coverage
http://bbc.in/sJ0pNL
Click here for selected pictures
http://ymlp.com/zCjj8z

For information about its shows and other news, including latest media coverage, go to:
www.turnercontemporary.org
or via twitter @
TCMargate

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