Index on Censorship was founded in 1972 by Stephen Spender, a British poet and essayist, along with a group of intellectuals and writers including Stuart Hampshire, David Astor, and Edward Crankshaw. The idea for Index on Censorship emerged from their desire to create a platform that would defend freedom of expression and challenge censorship worldwide, particularly in response to the suppression of writers and artists in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe during the Cold War. Today, Index on Censorship operates as an independent non-profit organization, governed by a board of trustees and supported by various donors and partners. Based in London, United Kingdom, Index on Censorship covers a wide range of issues related to freedom of expression, including political censorship, artistic freedom, digital rights, and press freedom. The organization publishes articles, reports, and analyses on censorship cases and free speech issues from around the world. While not a traditional news outlet, Index on Censorship provides in-depth coverage and commentary on events and trends that impact freedom of expression globally, often highlighting stories and perspectives that may not receive widespread attention in mainstream media. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of Index on Censorship is its quarterly magazine, which has been in continuous publication since the organization's founding in 1972. The magazine features a mix of reportage, analysis, and creative works by censored writers and artists, serving as both a historical record of censorship and a platform for voices that might otherwise be silenced. This long-running publication has become an important archive of free speech issues over the past five decades.