Katie Dancey-Downs
@katiedd.bsky.social
Half deputy editor @IndexCensorship, half freelance writer on freedoms, the planet and culture at BBC News, New Internationalist, Resurgence, the Independent, i News, Eurovision & others | Opinions my own or plagiarised | She/her
www.katiedancey.co.uk
www.katiedancey.co.uk
Pinned
Katie Dancey-Downs
@katiedd.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Are we doing… intros?
Journalist from Dorset here with a passion for human rights, the planet and culture, at risk of being crushed by my own TBR pile.
Likes: Books, sea swims & cake
Dislikes: Authoritarians, chauvinists & mushrooms
Journalist from Dorset here with a passion for human rights, the planet and culture, at risk of being crushed by my own TBR pile.
Likes: Books, sea swims & cake
Dislikes: Authoritarians, chauvinists & mushrooms
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
#Uzbekistan has found itself deep within cultural wars debates. In our latest magazine, @katiedd.bsky.social speaks to @joannalillis.bsky.social about her new book and how social media is being used to promote traditional values among young men:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
February 11, 2026 at 12:11 PM
#Uzbekistan has found itself deep within cultural wars debates. In our latest magazine, @katiedd.bsky.social speaks to @joannalillis.bsky.social about her new book and how social media is being used to promote traditional values among young men:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Time to bin the Ring?
February 11, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Time to bin the Ring?
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
Absolute kudos to @weratedogs.com to use their platform to surface this vital issue.
They could stay silent but haven't
They could stay silent but haven't
February 11, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Absolute kudos to @weratedogs.com to use their platform to surface this vital issue.
They could stay silent but haven't
They could stay silent but haven't
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
“Very often this is happening behind closed doors, sometimes on the request of just one parent" - Index's @katiedd.bsky.social speaking to @theferret.scot about the rise of book bans in school libraries in #Scotland⬇️
www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...
www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...
Books are being challenged in Scottish schools. Librarians fear a 'chilling effect' on freedom of speech
Dozens of complaints about reading material in school libraries have been received, with campaigners warning that "book bans" could increase.
www.theferret.scot
February 9, 2026 at 10:58 AM
“Very often this is happening behind closed doors, sometimes on the request of just one parent" - Index's @katiedd.bsky.social speaking to @theferret.scot about the rise of book bans in school libraries in #Scotland⬇️
www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...
www.theferret.scot/books-scotti...
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
A damning demonstration of how far #HongKong has fallen from democracy, the rule of law and a commitment to human rights
Hong Kong dissident Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison
Hong Kong dissident Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison
www.thetimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:37 AM
A damning demonstration of how far #HongKong has fallen from democracy, the rule of law and a commitment to human rights
Great investigation here on what’s going on in Scotland. And pleased to be able to share my thoughts with the Ferret team.
🔴NEW: Books are being removed or restricted in Scottish school libraries following complaints, creating a “chilling effect” that campaigners warn threatens both freedom of speech and inclusive education.
Read the story: https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
Read the story: https://www.theferret.scot/books-scottish-schools-librarians/
February 8, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Great investigation here on what’s going on in Scotland. And pleased to be able to share my thoughts with the Ferret team.
Incredible piece here from @laurajedeed.bsky.social for @slate.com. So fascinating in fact, that I’m now running late.
(Advance warning, it’s paywalled)
slate.com/news-and-pol...
(Advance warning, it’s paywalled)
slate.com/news-and-pol...
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Incredible piece here from @laurajedeed.bsky.social for @slate.com. So fascinating in fact, that I’m now running late.
(Advance warning, it’s paywalled)
slate.com/news-and-pol...
(Advance warning, it’s paywalled)
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Delighted to be part of this, and to get another chance to waffle on about book bans.
After Section 28: LGBTQIA+ Rights in an age of censorship and backlash
The lineup is out!
Opening Keynote: Section 28: Is history repeating itself? from Lord Chris Smith, the first out Gay MP in the UK and fought back in House of Commons in 1987/88.
sites.google.com/view/after-s...
The lineup is out!
Opening Keynote: Section 28: Is history repeating itself? from Lord Chris Smith, the first out Gay MP in the UK and fought back in House of Commons in 1987/88.
sites.google.com/view/after-s...
December 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Delighted to be part of this, and to get another chance to waffle on about book bans.
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
"The fight had come to her, and it was impossible to ignore." Meet the older women who are dedicating their retirement to leaving a better world behind: the Anti-Fracking Nanas. Story by @katiedd.bsky.social.
Meet the Anti-Fracking Nanas
Why older women are dedicating their retirement to leaving a better world behind.
conversationalist.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
"The fight had come to her, and it was impossible to ignore." Meet the older women who are dedicating their retirement to leaving a better world behind: the Anti-Fracking Nanas. Story by @katiedd.bsky.social.
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
In February, Index's @katiedd.bsky.social will speak at the conference After Section 28: LGBTQIA+ Rights in an Age of Censorship and Backlash to talk about the creep of censorship across education and public institutions.
Get tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/after...
Get tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/after...
December 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
In February, Index's @katiedd.bsky.social will speak at the conference After Section 28: LGBTQIA+ Rights in an Age of Censorship and Backlash to talk about the creep of censorship across education and public institutions.
Get tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/after...
Get tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/after...
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
This does not help all of us editors who obsessively check that the “saved as draft” option is selected. Nightmare fodder, I tell you.
#UKbudget
#UKbudget
November 26, 2025 at 12:21 PM
This does not help all of us editors who obsessively check that the “saved as draft” option is selected. Nightmare fodder, I tell you.
#UKbudget
#UKbudget
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
“Because once we’ve lost press freedom, it’s only a matter of time before we lose everything it protects.” @katiedd.bsky.social on the growing restrictions of press freedom around the world.
The Shrinking Space for Media Freedom
Once we lose a free press, we lose everything it protects.
conversationalist.org
November 8, 2025 at 5:05 PM
“Because once we’ve lost press freedom, it’s only a matter of time before we lose everything it protects.” @katiedd.bsky.social on the growing restrictions of press freedom around the world.
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
Americans seeking greater sanctuary in UK academia might want to take heed...
"Sheffield Hallam University staff in China were threatened ... access to the university's websites from China was blocked, impeding its ability to recruit Chinese students, in a campaign of threats and intimidation lasting more than two years."
This is a remarkable case of Chinese authorities threatening a UK university into halting research on human rights violations, and the university acquiescing.
November 3, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Americans seeking greater sanctuary in UK academia might want to take heed...
This summer, I sat down with three women who escaped North Korea. I did not expect us to talk about the power of K-drama at such length.
North Koreans are glimpsing a different way of life through South Korean K-dramas smuggled into the country. In an interview with Index, defectors describe how TV shows offering an alternative life inspired them to escape ⬇️
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/nort... #NorthKorea @katiedd.bsky.social
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/nort... #NorthKorea @katiedd.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 10:08 AM
This summer, I sat down with three women who escaped North Korea. I did not expect us to talk about the power of K-drama at such length.
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
UK librarians face growing challenges as they find themselves caught in the middle of debates over intellectual freedom & culture wars. Social media only fuels the tension. Index’s @katiedd.bsky.social reports back on a discussion in Scottish Parliament: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/scot...
October 22, 2025 at 8:45 AM
UK librarians face growing challenges as they find themselves caught in the middle of debates over intellectual freedom & culture wars. Social media only fuels the tension. Index’s @katiedd.bsky.social reports back on a discussion in Scottish Parliament: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/scot...
My latest for @conversationalist.org on the terrible state of global press freedom and why we should all care.
Today, global press freedom is more restricted than it has been in recent memory, but to uphold democracy, we must defend it with everything we’ve got. Because if we lose press freedom, it’s only a matter of time before we lose everything it protects. More by @katiedd.bsky.social.
The Shrinking Space for Media Freedom
Once we lose a free press, we lose everything it protects.
conversationalist.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
My latest for @conversationalist.org on the terrible state of global press freedom and why we should all care.
It was such a pleasure to talk to Rachel Seiffert for #BannedBooksWeekUK. We talked about dark family histories, school book bans and why staying silent is an active decision.
Author Rachel Seiffert writes to stop history repeating itself by confronting her difficult ancestry, linked to Nazi Germany. For #BannedBooksWeekUK, she talks to Index about the parallels between the past & present and how staying silent is not an option: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/bann...
October 8, 2025 at 8:27 PM
It was such a pleasure to talk to Rachel Seiffert for #BannedBooksWeekUK. We talked about dark family histories, school book bans and why staying silent is an active decision.
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
The Yacoubian Building author, #AlaaAlAswany, saw his book banned in #Egypt - a reminder of why dictators fear stories that speak truth. What are you reading for #BannedBooksWeekUK? www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
October 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Yacoubian Building author, #AlaaAlAswany, saw his book banned in #Egypt - a reminder of why dictators fear stories that speak truth. What are you reading for #BannedBooksWeekUK? www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
Imagine the worst possible government you can - I mean real bad guys. Now imagine they have access to the new anti-protest powers being suggested.
And that, for starters, is why it must not happen.
And that, for starters, is why it must not happen.
Successive #UK laws have restricted protest and now the UK government wants to ban repeat protests in the same area. While we recognise that some safety concerns exist, the police already have powers to handle serious disruptions. Any added restrictions come at too high a cost to our freedom.
October 6, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Imagine the worst possible government you can - I mean real bad guys. Now imagine they have access to the new anti-protest powers being suggested.
And that, for starters, is why it must not happen.
And that, for starters, is why it must not happen.
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
International bestselling author #JunoDawson has had her books pulled from shelves in both the #US and #UK. This #BannedBooksWeekUK, she's calling on us all to read a banned book and share it on socials.
Join the movement: www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
Join the movement: www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
October 6, 2025 at 10:14 AM
International bestselling author #JunoDawson has had her books pulled from shelves in both the #US and #UK. This #BannedBooksWeekUK, she's calling on us all to read a banned book and share it on socials.
Join the movement: www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
Join the movement: www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
#BannedBooksWeekUK begins today! From 5-11 Oct, join us in celebrating the freedom to read.
📖 Read a banned book
🎤 Host /attend an event
📚 Organise a book swap
📱Share on socials #BannedBooksWeekUK
www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
📖 Read a banned book
🎤 Host /attend an event
📚 Organise a book swap
📱Share on socials #BannedBooksWeekUK
www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
October 5, 2025 at 8:16 AM
#BannedBooksWeekUK begins today! From 5-11 Oct, join us in celebrating the freedom to read.
📖 Read a banned book
🎤 Host /attend an event
📚 Organise a book swap
📱Share on socials #BannedBooksWeekUK
www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
📖 Read a banned book
🎤 Host /attend an event
📚 Organise a book swap
📱Share on socials #BannedBooksWeekUK
www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
First, I want to emphasise that I completely disagree with this policy. The reason refugees have different rights in the immigration system is not because being a refugee is a “golden ticket” ffs, but because their experience of arriving is fraught with danger
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:43 AM
First, I want to emphasise that I completely disagree with this policy. The reason refugees have different rights in the immigration system is not because being a refugee is a “golden ticket” ffs, but because their experience of arriving is fraught with danger
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs
Hostile environment policies encourage illegal exploitative employment practices and discourage vulnerable people from seeking help - they do not stop migrants coming.
"The Britcard proposal creates a false choice [...] It assumes that the current system’s problems stem from insufficient verification technology, when in fact they arise from the hostile environment policies that the technology would serve to strengthen."
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
The Britcard – progressive or concerning? | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
September 28, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Hostile environment policies encourage illegal exploitative employment practices and discourage vulnerable people from seeking help - they do not stop migrants coming.
This is the kind of action we need. Communities saying no to censorship.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Dorset school urged to reinstate banned book about race to reading list
Budmouth Academy in Weymouth removed The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas after complaint from parent
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:06 PM
This is the kind of action we need. Communities saying no to censorship.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...