Index on Censorship, a journal published by SAGE, has been shortlisted for an Amnesty International UK Media Award. "The Art Issue", first published in September 2011, has been shortlisted for a consumer magazine award for three articles which explore how art is challenging censorship and bringing about political change in China, Egypt and Russia.
In "China's New Deal", Simon Kirby explores the change of mood in China and the role of artists such as Ai Weiwei in criticising the regime. Yasmine El Rashidi looks at how street art became a symbol of freedom in Cairo during the Arab spring in "Art or Vandalism?". In "Russia's Robin Hoods", Nick Sturdee reports on radical performance artists Voina, a new brand of political street art that is taking the country by storm. The shortlisted articles can be read at www.indexoncensorship.org/artissue
Index on Censorship had previously won an Amnesty Media Award in 2008 for an issue on the media in Russia.
Amnesty's Media Awards, now in their 21st year, seek to recognise excellence in human rights reporting and acknowledge journalism's significant contribution to the UK public's awareness and understanding of human rights issues.
