Union of Bulgarian Journalists (UBJ) - Stakeholders

The Union of  Bulgarian Journalists (UBJ) is the largest journalists' organization in Bulgaria. It is a voluntary association of 4500 journalists from all over the country who want to protect their own professional, social and trade union rights and interests. The main goals of UBJ are as follows: the promotion of professional journalism in the Bulgarian society; the adherence to professional standards and ethics; the protection of media freedom and independent press; the expression of the common interests of Bulgarian journalists to public authorities; the development of international cooperation in the field of professional journalism.

Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) - Stakeholders

Founded in late 1989, the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) is an interdisciplinary public policy institute dedicated to the values of democracy and market economy. CSD defines itself as a "non-partisan, independent organization fostering the reform process in Europe through impact on policy and civil society". Born as a think-tank, its main goals are: to provide an enhanced institutional and policy capacity for a successful European integration process, especially in the area of justice and home affairs; to promote institutional reform and the practical implementation of democratic values in legal and economic practice; to monitor public attitudes and serve as a watchdog of the institutional reform process.

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) - Stakeholders

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is the world's largest organisation of journalists. First established as the Fédération Internationale des Journalistes (FIJ) in 1926 in Paris, it was relaunched as the International Organization of Journalists (IOJ) in 1946 but lost its Western members to the Cold War and re-emerged in its present form in 1952 in Brussels. Today the Federation represents around 600,000 members in 140 countries.

IFJ promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists. Its Safety Programme includes casework, protests, campaigns, information and production of various publications. The Safety Fund, established in 1992, is an integral part of this programme that provides immediate financial relief to journalists in financial straits as a result of work-related reasons, such as:

• Forced exile due to threats at home
• Litigation
• Medical Expenses
• Travel costs

The request for assistance has to be submitted either to the IFJ regional offices in the applicant’s region or directly to the IFJ Human Rights and Communications Officer in Brussels.

Association of European Journalists Bulgaria (AEJ Bulgaria) - Stakeholders

The Association of European Journalists Bulgaria (AEJ Bulgaria) is a non governmental legal entity founded in 2010 to defend ethical standards in journalism and to enhance the development of quality journalism in Bulgaria. To achieve its goals, the association provides educational opportunities, organizes meetings and produces publications.

Association for the Protection of journalistic ethics in the Slovak republic (AONE) - Stakeholders

The Association for the Protection of journalistic ethics in the Slovak republic (AONE) was established on October 2, 2001 by representatives of the Slovak Syndicate of Journalists and Slovak Press Publishers’ Association. 

The Print-Digital Council (former Press Council) of the Slovak Republic (TR SR) is AONE's executive body and addresses complaints about the possible violation of journalistic ethics, as well as motions concerning restraining the journalists’ access to information.

Southeast Europe Coalition on Whistleblower Protection - Stakeholders

The Southeast Europe Coalition on Whistleblower Protection is a regional organization dedicated to strengthening legal protections and rights for whistleblowers. It does so by investigating whistleblower cases and raising awareness of the value of whistleblowing to fight crime and corruption. The Coalition is comprised of more than 30 NGOs and other groups from 13 Southeast Europe countries.

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) - Stakeholders

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) is a foundation established in 1989 in Warsaw. The HFHR is one of the most experienced and professional non-governmental organizations involved in the protection of human rights in Europe. It is active both in Poland and abroad, in particular in the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, the Caucasus and Central Asia. HFHR conducts national and international trainings, organizes conferences and seminars. It provides expert consultation in the sphere of human rights and freedoms to individuals as well as to non-governmental organizations and to state institutions.

In 1993, the Foundation set up the Human Rights House in Warsaw, an international network to protect, empowers and support human rights defenders and their organizations. Today, more than 100 independent human rights organizations work together in 15 Human Rights Houses located in Eastern and Western Europe, the Caucasus and the Balkans. The headquarter of the Human Rights House Foundation is based in Oslo.

In Poland the Foundation has established the Observatory of Media Freedom , a program dedicated to monitoring the standards of protection of the freedom of expression in Poland, through legal opinions, analysis and complaints to the European Court of Human Rights.

Plataforma en Defensa de la Libertad de Información (PDLI) - Stakeholders

Plataforma en Defensa de la Libertad de Información (PDLI) is a Spanish civil society group uniting journalists, lawyers, media houses, social movements and consumer advocates.

PDLI arouse out of the concern of a group of organisations and individuals in the legal field, journalism and social movements after the deterioration of freedom of expression and information in Spain, following a series of reforms and the approval of new laws, such as the Organic Law Project on the Protection of Citizen Security, the Intellectual Property Law, the Transparency Law.

Among the activities PDLI carries out, there is the monitoring and dissemination of attacks on freedom of expression against journalists and the media, as well as against activists, social movements and citizens. PDLI also support campaign in defense of media freedom and organise training programs for journalists, activists and social movements on how to safely exercise their profession.

PDLI launched mapea.cc, an online tool to collect data on legal threats to freedom of expression.

APADOR-CH - Stakeholders

The Association for the Defence of Human Rights in Romania – the Helsinki Committee (APADOR-CH) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, established in 1990. 

APADOR-CH’s Mission is to take action for the protection of human rights and the establishment of equilibrium when they are in danger or infringed upon.

APADOR-CH’s strategic objectives include protection of human rights, improvement of legislative framework regarding freedom of expression and the right to free assembly, increasing transparency and good governance and monitoring police abuses.

Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression - Stakeholders

The Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression is an Armenian NGO monitoring freedom of speech in the country, violations of journalists’ rights, and the development of independent media. It publishes general annual reports as well as more frequent analyses and reports on specific cases and issues. The Committee also develops recommendations on media legislation, and it provides support to journalists and media in need. The Committee is member of the Partnership for Open Society Initiative.