Press freedom debate: how can NGOs support independent journalism?
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Version 0 of 1. Conditions for reporters worldwide reached their worst level in more than a decade last year, according to a new analysis by Freedom House, and so far this year, 24 journalists have been killed and 159 are imprisoned, according to Reporters Without Borders. But Freedom House’s report also showed a slight improvement in press freedom in sub-Saharan Africa. In Burkina Faso earlier this year, journalist Issa Lohé Konaté was released from jail. “This was hugely significant because it wasn’t outsiders coming in. It was a 100% African decision, reached through African institutions and African judges sitting in [court in] Tanzania,” said Peter Noorlander from the Media Legal Defence Initiative, an NGO which represented Konaté. The picture on the whole continent is mixed. While there has been progress in some countries such as Tunisia, this has been undermined by chaos in places like Libya and Syria, and harsh censorship in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Meanwhile in Venezuela, the government has denied licences to independent radio and television stations and imposed fines on opposition-run media, according to the Economist. Given that a free press is a central pillar of any well-functioning democracy, and crucial for calling out corruption and inequality, how can development professionals nurture the media? How can a diverse range of voices be represented? Can state-owned media be trusted? And how can privately owned media be independent and unbiased? Join an expert panel on Wednesday 6 May, 1–3pm BST, to discuss these questions and more. The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). Get in touch via globaldevpros@theguardian.com or @GuardianGDP on Twitter to recommend someone for our expert panel. Follow the discussion using the hashtag #globaldevlive. Panel Peter Noorlander, CEO, Media Legal Defence Initiative, @mediadefence @PeterNoorlander, London, UKPeter is the CEO of the Media Legal Defence Initiative, an organisation that provides legal defence to independent media and journalists.Jennifer Dunham, Manager, Freedom of the Press, Freedom House, @jendunham22, @FreedomHouseDC, New York, USA Jennifer is the manager of the Freedom of the Press project at Freedom House. James Deane, Director of Policy and Learning, BBC Media Action, @JamesMDeane, London, UKJames has spent most of his working life focused on the role of media and access to information in development, in roles at Panos and at the BBC. Jonathan Price, Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers, @J0nathanPrice, London, UK Jonathan is a barrister specialising in publication and information law.Tim Holmes, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Journalism, Cardiff University, @TimothyHolmes, Cardiff, UKTim is the co-author of The 21st Century Journalism Handbook, as well as being course co-ordinator of the MA in Journalism at Cardiff University. Emma Daly, Communications Director, Human Rights Watch, @emmadaly @hrw, New York, USAEmma is a recovering journalist, and, after 18 years mostly covering international news, she is now a human rights activist. Paula Donovan, Co-Director, AIDS-Free World, @AIDS_Free_World, Boston, USAPaula co-founded and co-directs AIDS-Free World, which advocates for health, social justice, and women’s rights globally. Imogen Wall, freelance consultant, @imogenwall, London, UKImogen is a freelance communications consultant who focuses on in policy, advocacy and use of communications technology in disaster response. Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent, BBC, @bbclysedoucet, London UKLyse has been working for the BBC for the past 30 years and report on television and radio across the BBC’s global and domestic outlets as well as Online. I spend a lot of time in the Middle East, some parts of Africa, South Asia, and beyond. Norman Solomon, Executive Director, Institute for Public Accuracy, @NormanSolomon @accuracy, Washington, DC, USANorman is a noted journalist and political activist and is the author of a dozen books including ‘War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death’. Gavin Rees, Executive Director, Dart Centre Europe, @DartCenter, London, UKBased at Columbia University’s journalism school, Dart Center is a training organisation for journalists and filmmakers who cover violence and trauma. Jodie Ginsberg, CEO, Index on Censorship, @jodieginsberg @indexcensorship, London, UKJodie leads NGO Index on Censorship, which publishes censored writers and artists and campaigns for freedom of expression. |