Sarah Dawood

Career Trajectory: From Newsrooms to Global Advocacy

We've followed Sarah Dawood's evolution from a versatile journalist at national newspapers and business titles to her current role as a leading voice at Index on Censorship. Over her decade-long career, she's transitioned from:

• Early reporting on design and business trends for Design Week and Raconteur
• Policy-focused journalism at the New Statesman's Spotlight section
• Her current position shaping global free speech discourse as editor of Index on Censorship

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Impact

• Trump, Zelenskyy and the war on truth This 2025 analysis dissects how political leaders manipulate narratives during conflict, using the Ukraine-Russia war as a case study. Dawood traces the weaponization of historical memory through Zelenskyy's appeals to Western allies and Trump's revisionist rhetoric. The piece stands out for its examination of how wartime information control evolves into peacetime censorship mechanisms, featuring interviews with Ukrainian journalists and US policy analysts.
• Under the Taliban, Afghanistan’s musicians have fallen silent Dawood's immersive 2025 report combines survivor testimonies with ethnomusicological research to document cultural erasure. The investigation reveals how Taliban-enforced music bans have created a underground network of musicians preserving Afghanistan's heritage. Unique to this piece is its focus on the economic impacts of artistic suppression, including instrument destruction statistics and refugee artist profiles.
• The UK Government must defend its citizens around the world This policy critique in the New Statesman analyzes Britain's handling of journalist detentions abroad. Dawood cross-references FOIA requests with NGO reports to map patterns in diplomatic responses. The article's breakthrough lies in its proposed "Press Freedom Impact Assessment" framework for evaluating foreign policy decisions.

Beat Analysis: Strategic Pitching Guide

1. Global Censorship Innovation Tracking

Pitch emerging technologies combating state-sponsored disinformation. Dawood's coverage of AI content moderation in her 2025 Sage Journals piece demonstrates interest in technical solutions. Example: Tools helping Afghan activists bypass music bans would align with her documented focus on cultural preservation under repression.

2. Diaspora Community Resilience Studies

Highlight stories of exiled artists maintaining cultural practices. Her Taliban music ban investigation shows particular interest in how displaced communities transmit traditions. A pitch might explore Syrian refugee theaters in Turkey preserving censored playwrights' works.

3. Legal Precedent Case Studies

Focus on landmark trials impacting press freedom norms. Dawood's analysis of UK citizen detentions reveals appetite for legal deep dives. Relevant pitches could examine how Malaysia's Fake News Act precedents influence Southeast Asian media laws.

Awards and Recognition

• 2024 International Press Institute Award Recognized for her Taliban music ban exposé, this honor from the global network of editors and journalists underscores Dawood's commitment to documenting cultural erasure. The IPI particularly noted her innovative use of audio forensics to verify clandestine recordings.
• 2023 European Press Prize Shortlist Her series on UK aid cuts' impact on global free speech initiatives earned this nomination, highlighting her ability to connect domestic policy with international human rights outcomes. The judging panel praised the "rare synthesis of data journalism and grassroots storytelling."