Bulgaria: the Ombudsman's answer to MFRR's letter of concern - Article

Diana Kovatcheva, Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, replies to the Media Freedom Rapid Response's concern underlining her efforts to protect journalists and allow them to access Parliamentary buildings

Outcome Report for the Campaign #ThreatsToWIJ - Reports

On September 22, 2020 The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) launched its global campaign to discuss various forms of threats and attacks women journalists face around the world. This report analyses the results region by region

Concerns about Hungary: the answer by the European Commission - Article

Vice President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová answers the letter that the Media Freedom Rapid Response partners had sent to European institutions at the end of July: to the concerns expressed after the resignation of 70 journalists and the dismissal of the editor-in-chief of an independent media outlet in Hungary, Věra Jourová confirms her engagement for the respect of the rule of law

Free Press Unlimited (FPU) - Stakeholders

Free Press Unlimited is a foundation based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which supports local journalists in war zones and conflict areas in over 43 countries.

The organization also provides practical support for journalists and media practitioners under threat.

Free Press Unlimited (FPU) - Support Centres

Free Press Unlimited is a foundation based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which supports local journalists in war zones and conflict areas in over 43 countries. 

The organization offers several support programmes for journalists at risk:

1. Emergency support: Journalists and media organisations in distress can apply for emergency support from Reporters Respond. Through this fund, Free Press Unlimited enables them to resume their work as quickly as possible when faced with obstruction, vandalism, or intimidations. More info here .
2. Legal support: With the Legal Defense Fund, Free Press Unlimited provides financial support to journalists and media organisations worldwide, giving support to journalists who face prosecution or imprisonment and who are unable to afford a lawyer or trial costs. More info here .
3. Safety trainings & tools: In collaboration with international partners, Free Press Unlimited supports (media) organisations and media workers with safety training. More info here .
4. Advocacy: Independent media and press freedom cannot exist if safety for journalists isn’t guaranteed. Therefore, Free Press Unlimited actively lobbies for a safe work environment for journalists. An environment which enables them to work free of fear and danger. More info here .

Investigative Reporting Project Italy (IRPI) - Stakeholders

Investigative Reporting Project Italy (IRPI), is an association of investigative journalists based in Italy whom are experimenting new approaches, production and distribution models of investigative journalism. IRPI is the first of its kind in Italy and it favours topics such as the public spending, organised crime, environmental impoverishment, corporate policiesthat lead to illegal profits or social injustice, investigating stories through a transnational angle. It also provides the first Italian platform for whistleblowers .

As stated in its manifest, the association addresses a globalised citizenship through international media. IRPI has established itself as an independent organisation and it carries out its investigations thanks to funds raised through a mix of donations from foundation and grants for journalists.

The International Association for Media and Communication Research - IAMCR - Stakeholders

The International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) is a global professional association of media and communication researchers. It promotes media and communication research throughout the world, addressing socio-political, technological, policy and cultural processes. The UNESCO facilitated the establishment of IAMCR, providing the founding platform for the association in 1957.

ProtectDefenders.eu - Support Centres

Launched in 2015, ProtectDefenders.eu is the European Union Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) mechanism which supports individuals and local actors who strive to promote and defend human rights worldwide. The mechanism is implemented by a Consortium of twelve international organisations active in the field of Human Rights.

Its services comprise:

• Emergency support for HRDs at risk 
• Support to local HRD organisations
• Temporary relocation of HRDs at risk
• Training and information to HRDs at risk
• Monitoring and advocacy

HOTLINE: +353 (0) 1 21 00 489

Union of Publishers in Bulgaria - Stakeholders

Joined by 18 publishing houses producing over 40 printed products, the Union of Publishers in Bulgaria is an independent, non-governmental association united by the principles of defending the freedom of the press, the independence of journalists and the encouragement of their work so that society is objectively informed. The main goals of the Union are: to defend freedom of speech and the independence of the Bulgarian print media; to contribute for the improvement of the quality of Bulgarian press; to upgrade the public prestige of print media; to establish relations of fair competition among its members; to help in solving economic issues of common interest of the newspaper publishers; to mantain mutual trust among its members.

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.