Jemimah Steinfeld
@jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social
CEO @indexoncensorship.org and journalist. Chat mostly human rights, free speech, politics, climate & China.
Sometimes in Guardian, BBC, Independent, Prospect, Times, CNN etc.
Author of book on sex & youth in China.
Sometimes in Guardian, BBC, Independent, Prospect, Times, CNN etc.
Author of book on sex & youth in China.
Pinned
Death by a thousand cuts in Hong Kong - Index on Censorship
It’s been five years since the National Security Law was passed: how much has freedom of expression deteriorated in China’s special administrative region since then?
www.indexoncensorship.org
It’s been five years since the passage of the NSL in Hong Kong. Some hoped it might have been symbolic & rarely used. It was not. Dissent has mostly vanished. Thousands are in prison. We owe it to them to fight for the freedoms that they too fought for.
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/06/deat...
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/06/deat...
"Poets don’t threaten democrats – a stanza from the poet laureate, Simon Armitage, will not keep Keir Starmer up at night – but dictators feel differently."
100% this on our arts award winner Mohamed Tadjadit.
Art unites & subverts = autocrats' nightmare.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
100% this on our arts award winner Mohamed Tadjadit.
Art unites & subverts = autocrats' nightmare.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Algeria’s protest poet will need more than awards to avoid a life in prison | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
"Poets don’t threaten democrats – a stanza from the poet laureate, Simon Armitage, will not keep Keir Starmer up at night – but dictators feel differently."
100% this on our arts award winner Mohamed Tadjadit.
Art unites & subverts = autocrats' nightmare.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
100% this on our arts award winner Mohamed Tadjadit.
Art unites & subverts = autocrats' nightmare.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Am buzzing about the @indexoncensorship.org awards. Our winners are just the most incredible people. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Saturday Mothers, Carlos Correa & Mohamed Tadjadit - all heroes.
And buzzing that Deputy PM David Lammy called Index "iconic". So that's official now. Index = iconic.
And buzzing that Deputy PM David Lammy called Index "iconic". So that's official now. Index = iconic.
November 21, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Am buzzing about the @indexoncensorship.org awards. Our winners are just the most incredible people. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Saturday Mothers, Carlos Correa & Mohamed Tadjadit - all heroes.
And buzzing that Deputy PM David Lammy called Index "iconic". So that's official now. Index = iconic.
And buzzing that Deputy PM David Lammy called Index "iconic". So that's official now. Index = iconic.
Trump’s vibe this week: brutal murder of a journalist? Shrug. Reporter asking probing questions? ‘Quiet, piggy.’
Didn’t have high expectations from the man who called media ‘enemies of the people’ but he’s stooped to the lowest lows.
Didn’t have high expectations from the man who called media ‘enemies of the people’ but he’s stooped to the lowest lows.
November 21, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Trump’s vibe this week: brutal murder of a journalist? Shrug. Reporter asking probing questions? ‘Quiet, piggy.’
Didn’t have high expectations from the man who called media ‘enemies of the people’ but he’s stooped to the lowest lows.
Didn’t have high expectations from the man who called media ‘enemies of the people’ but he’s stooped to the lowest lows.
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
"things happen" = burning risotto, breaking a vase, forgetting a friend's birthday
"things happen" ≠ violently murdering and dismembering a journalist in a consulate
"things happen" ≠ violently murdering and dismembering a journalist in a consulate
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
"things happen" = burning risotto, breaking a vase, forgetting a friend's birthday
"things happen" ≠ violently murdering and dismembering a journalist in a consulate
"things happen" ≠ violently murdering and dismembering a journalist in a consulate
Roma lost her job when the Taliban took over, she has an ill child at home & struggles to afford proper medical care. She said writing this letter was the best thing that has happened to her in years. I'm thrilled we @indexoncensorship.org could publish it.
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/we-l...
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/we-l...
We live beneath a dark roof: what it means to be an Afghan woman today - Index on Censorship
In this, the first of our Letters from Afghan Women, one writer believes she will stand, fight and build a brighter, more progressive Afghanistan
www.indexoncensorship.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Roma lost her job when the Taliban took over, she has an ill child at home & struggles to afford proper medical care. She said writing this letter was the best thing that has happened to her in years. I'm thrilled we @indexoncensorship.org could publish it.
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/we-l...
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/11/we-l...
This is one of the most extreme examples of Beijing meddling in UK academia to date but it's alas far from the only one. I have many examples of Beijing's long arm chilling speech on our campuses here. So the question is, can this be a wake-up call, finally?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:06 AM
This is one of the most extreme examples of Beijing meddling in UK academia to date but it's alas far from the only one. I have many examples of Beijing's long arm chilling speech on our campuses here. So the question is, can this be a wake-up call, finally?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
Christianity has grown faster in #China than anywhere else in the world - and Xi Jinping isn't happy. This month, over 30 pastors & churchgoers were arrested. Our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social looks at the crackdown on faith: in the People's Republic:
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/ther...
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/ther...
October 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Christianity has grown faster in #China than anywhere else in the world - and Xi Jinping isn't happy. This month, over 30 pastors & churchgoers were arrested. Our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social looks at the crackdown on faith: in the People's Republic:
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/ther...
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/ther...
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
“It’s just that the new rules might simply shift where that fear lies rather than tackling the root cause.” Our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social on whether the Office for Students can apply new legal duties evenly to tackle free speech issues on campus: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/fre...
The assault on academic freedom
Is the universities regulator protecting free expression, or are some beliefs more protected than others?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 1:56 PM
“It’s just that the new rules might simply shift where that fear lies rather than tackling the root cause.” Our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social on whether the Office for Students can apply new legal duties evenly to tackle free speech issues on campus: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/fre...
A privilege to have met Pasha, the protagonist of the new film Mr Nobody Against Putin, earlier this week. Insanely brave, cool and humble.
I implore everyone to see this film. Understand what is happening inside Putin's Russia to the youngest minds.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
I implore everyone to see this film. Understand what is happening inside Putin's Russia to the youngest minds.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Four - Storyville, Mr Nobody Against Putin
A Russian schoolteacher risks everything to expose rising militarism in his classroom.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
A privilege to have met Pasha, the protagonist of the new film Mr Nobody Against Putin, earlier this week. Insanely brave, cool and humble.
I implore everyone to see this film. Understand what is happening inside Putin's Russia to the youngest minds.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
I implore everyone to see this film. Understand what is happening inside Putin's Russia to the youngest minds.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
"Pity the ones who fear a girl with a pen.
Pity the ones whose ideas are so small they must crush something bigger to feel powerful.
But do not pity us."
Read this because a) it's brilliant & b) Afghan women need their voices amplified, again and again and again.
rukhshana.com/en/they-shou...
Pity the ones whose ideas are so small they must crush something bigger to feel powerful.
But do not pity us."
Read this because a) it's brilliant & b) Afghan women need their voices amplified, again and again and again.
rukhshana.com/en/they-shou...
They should pity themselves - Rukhshana Media
So again pity them — the ones who fear our education, our strength, our freedom — because their fear is proof of our power.
rukhshana.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:14 AM
"Pity the ones who fear a girl with a pen.
Pity the ones whose ideas are so small they must crush something bigger to feel powerful.
But do not pity us."
Read this because a) it's brilliant & b) Afghan women need their voices amplified, again and again and again.
rukhshana.com/en/they-shou...
Pity the ones whose ideas are so small they must crush something bigger to feel powerful.
But do not pity us."
Read this because a) it's brilliant & b) Afghan women need their voices amplified, again and again and again.
rukhshana.com/en/they-shou...
"It feels different this time" said an exiled Chinese Christian in response to the arrests of scores of pastors in China this month.
The CCP has never been hot on Christianity but under Xi the attacks to the faith have grown exponentially. It's desperate now.
www.dw.com/en/why-is-ch...
The CCP has never been hot on Christianity but under Xi the attacks to the faith have grown exponentially. It's desperate now.
www.dw.com/en/why-is-ch...
Why is China again targeting underground 'house churches?' – DW – 10/22/2025
China has arrested dozens of Christian pastors in a sweeping crackdown on unregistered churches. DW takes a look behind the latest wave of repression.
www.dw.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:05 AM
"It feels different this time" said an exiled Chinese Christian in response to the arrests of scores of pastors in China this month.
The CCP has never been hot on Christianity but under Xi the attacks to the faith have grown exponentially. It's desperate now.
www.dw.com/en/why-is-ch...
The CCP has never been hot on Christianity but under Xi the attacks to the faith have grown exponentially. It's desperate now.
www.dw.com/en/why-is-ch...
Humbling being on a panel with Verity & Lucy Nevitt behind @thegeminiproject.bsky.social & lawyer Jennifer Robinson, speaking about how SLAPPs further silence victims of sexual assault. What a disgrace SLAPPs are. @indexoncensorship.org report here for more www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/the-...
October 22, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Humbling being on a panel with Verity & Lucy Nevitt behind @thegeminiproject.bsky.social & lawyer Jennifer Robinson, speaking about how SLAPPs further silence victims of sexual assault. What a disgrace SLAPPs are. @indexoncensorship.org report here for more www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/the-...
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
End-to-end encryption keeps us safe. Without it, we'll all be at risk. On #GlobalEncryptionDay, we call on the UK government to protect our privacy.
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/why-...
@globalencryption.org #EncryptTheParrot
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/why-...
@globalencryption.org #EncryptTheParrot
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
End-to-end encryption keeps us safe. Without it, we'll all be at risk. On #GlobalEncryptionDay, we call on the UK government to protect our privacy.
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/why-...
@globalencryption.org #EncryptTheParrot
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/why-...
@globalencryption.org #EncryptTheParrot
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
🚨The UK Government is trying to break encryption. If they succeed, we can say goodbye to our privacy and security. On #GlobalEncryptionDay, join us in demanding the protection of end-to-end encryption:
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/why-... #EncryptTheParrot
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/why-... #EncryptTheParrot
October 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
🚨The UK Government is trying to break encryption. If they succeed, we can say goodbye to our privacy and security. On #GlobalEncryptionDay, join us in demanding the protection of end-to-end encryption:
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/why-... #EncryptTheParrot
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/why-... #EncryptTheParrot
Iran reportedly plans to deploy 80,000 new morality police in Tehran to enforce women’s dress codes, while those close to the Ayatollah break them.
Let's not shame this woman. But let's speak out about the grotesque hypocrisy & the need to end all shame.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Let's not shame this woman. But let's speak out about the grotesque hypocrisy & the need to end all shame.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Wedding dress of daughter of Iranian supreme leader's aide sparks fury
Footage circulating on social media shows Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to Iran's supreme leader, escorting his daughter, Fatemeh, into a wedding hall at Tehran's luxury Espinas Palace Hotel.
www.dailymail.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Iran reportedly plans to deploy 80,000 new morality police in Tehran to enforce women’s dress codes, while those close to the Ayatollah break them.
Let's not shame this woman. But let's speak out about the grotesque hypocrisy & the need to end all shame.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Let's not shame this woman. But let's speak out about the grotesque hypocrisy & the need to end all shame.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Holy smokes. Check out my prompt and then check out the answer on this Google AI overview about Liu Xiaobo. If anything highlights the problems of AI from a mis/dis-info perspective...
October 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Holy smokes. Check out my prompt and then check out the answer on this Google AI overview about Liu Xiaobo. If anything highlights the problems of AI from a mis/dis-info perspective...
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
An amendment to UK extradition laws passed on Tuesday allowing some extraditions to #HongKong puts those in exile at risk. Our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social responds.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct...
October 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM
An amendment to UK extradition laws passed on Tuesday allowing some extraditions to #HongKong puts those in exile at risk. Our CEO @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social responds.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct...
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
Three headlines that tell a very disturbing story
October 9, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Three headlines that tell a very disturbing story
No answers as to why this professor wasn’t allowed to board a plane to leave the USA but let’s concentrate on what we definitely know, which is terrible - he was leaving because threats to his life due to his teaching had become so extreme he feared for his life
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US anti-fascism expert blocked from flying to Spain at airport
Rutgers University professor who published book on antifa was informed at boarding gate that his trip was cancelled
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM
No answers as to why this professor wasn’t allowed to board a plane to leave the USA but let’s concentrate on what we definitely know, which is terrible - he was leaving because threats to his life due to his teaching had become so extreme he feared for his life
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
"The Party’s tight control on historical narrative has rendered much of the pain afflicted in the name of liberation — or after liberation had ostensibly been achieved — unspeakable." Powerful from @yangyangcheng.bsky.social on voicelessness of Chinese women chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/09/f...
No Country for A Woman | China Books Review
Women in China have suffered abuse, silencing and erasure — despite the Communist Party’s slogans about women’s liberation. Two novels by the Wuhan writer Fang Fang show how gendered oppression persis...
chinabooksreview.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
"The Party’s tight control on historical narrative has rendered much of the pain afflicted in the name of liberation — or after liberation had ostensibly been achieved — unspeakable." Powerful from @yangyangcheng.bsky.social on voicelessness of Chinese women chinabooksreview.com/2025/10/09/f...
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
Belarus rarely makes Western headlines — but it should this week.
A quiet move by the Trump administration has just handed Alexander Lukashenka, and indirectly Vladimir Putin, an unexpected gift.
🧵👇
A quiet move by the Trump administration has just handed Alexander Lukashenka, and indirectly Vladimir Putin, an unexpected gift.
🧵👇
October 8, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Belarus rarely makes Western headlines — but it should this week.
A quiet move by the Trump administration has just handed Alexander Lukashenka, and indirectly Vladimir Putin, an unexpected gift.
🧵👇
A quiet move by the Trump administration has just handed Alexander Lukashenka, and indirectly Vladimir Putin, an unexpected gift.
🧵👇
Reposted by Jemimah Steinfeld
What’s the point of party conferences if not to be open to scrutiny? Reports that journalists have been barred from the Labour Conference with no reasonable explanation given are deeply concerning. Critical voices must be heard. Transparency is non-negotiable.
October 1, 2025 at 8:41 AM
What’s the point of party conferences if not to be open to scrutiny? Reports that journalists have been barred from the Labour Conference with no reasonable explanation given are deeply concerning. Critical voices must be heard. Transparency is non-negotiable.
Another day of digital darkness in Afghanistan. This is desperate and devastating. Global leaders need to condemn this at top volume.
October 1, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Another day of digital darkness in Afghanistan. This is desperate and devastating. Global leaders need to condemn this at top volume.
“Yet for all their claims of free speech absolutism, it now seems clear comedy’s champions of liberty are all too happy to censor themselves for the right price.”
Excoriating but fair. Huge inconsistency here on the part of the currently in Saudi comedians.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Excoriating but fair. Huge inconsistency here on the part of the currently in Saudi comedians.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
US comedians defend decision to play in Saudi Arabia: ‘They’re paying me enough to look the other way’
Usual supporters of free speech are under fire for signing on to Riyadh festival despite the government’s human rights abuses
www.theguardian.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
“Yet for all their claims of free speech absolutism, it now seems clear comedy’s champions of liberty are all too happy to censor themselves for the right price.”
Excoriating but fair. Huge inconsistency here on the part of the currently in Saudi comedians.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Excoriating but fair. Huge inconsistency here on the part of the currently in Saudi comedians.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Afghan girls and women use the internet for everyday communication, alongside education, both having been extremely curtailed since the Taliban came back. With a soaring mental health crisis, the internet is therefore a lifeline for them. This isn't just an inconvenience. This is about survival.
⚠️ Update: It has now been 24 hours since #Afghanistan imposed a national internet blackout, cutting off residents from the rest of the world; the ongoing measure marks the Taliban's return to conservative values it espoused a quarter of a century ago limiting basic freedoms
September 30, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Afghan girls and women use the internet for everyday communication, alongside education, both having been extremely curtailed since the Taliban came back. With a soaring mental health crisis, the internet is therefore a lifeline for them. This isn't just an inconvenience. This is about survival.