Following is a list of several organizations that are devoted to promoting a free press throughout the world:
COMMITTEE TO PROTECT
JOURNALISTS (CPJ)
330 7th Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10001
USA
Phone: (212) 465-1004
Fax: (212) 465-9568
Supports journalists who have been subject to human rights violations. Confronts governments that limit the ability of foreign correspondents and local reporters to do their jobs. Brings exiled journalists to the United States for interviews and press conferences. Serves as a liaison with press groups worldwide and exchanges information. Releases reports on press conditions in countries around the world and maintains a database and speakers' bureau. Produces a publication titled, Attacks on the Press, a comprehensive country-by-country breakdown of threats to free press. The report is released in March each year.
FREEDOM
FORUM
1101 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
USA
Phone: (703) 528-0800
Fax: (703) 528-7766
Supports journalism education for reporters around the world. Also promotes free press rights through projects, programs and publications and by funding grant proposals. Also operates the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center and the Freedom Forum Journalists Memorial .
FREEDOM
HOUSE
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
USA
Phone: (212) 514-8040
Fax: (212) 514-8050
Surveys free press and other political rights and civil liberties throughout the world. Publishes a widely disseminated annual report on relative freedom in countries around the world. When Comparative Survey of Freedom first was established in the early 1970s, democracy was on the defensive in many countries. Now called Freedom in the World, the survey draws attention not only to those countries that lack democratic institutions, but also details flaws in nations considered democratic. Also produces a quarterly newsletter describing conditions. Holds seminars on freedom of the press and other civil liberties topics. Maintains an archive on press freedom issues.
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR FOREIGN JOURNALISTS
(ICFJ)
1616 H Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
USA
Phone: (202) 737-3700
Fax: (202) 737-0530
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail for clearinghouse: [email protected]
Formerly known as the Center for Foreign Journalists, the ICFJ works to strengthen quality of journalism worldwide through professional training and exchanges. In particular, ICFJ designs fellowship programs for American and foreign journalists, the most prominent of which is the Knight-Ridder International Press Fellowship Program. Most of ICFJ's work consists of training workshops and on-site consultations. In addition, the Center maintains the ICFJ Clearinghouse on the Central and East European Press. The main program is a computerized database of more than 1,000 media organizations and media outlets in the United States, Europe, and states of the former Soviet Union.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S MEDIA
FOUNDATION (IWMF)
1001 Connecticut Aveune, N.W.
Suite 1201
Washington, D.C. 20036
USA
Phone: (202) 496-9112
Fax: (202) 496-1977
Works to strengthen the role of women in the news media worldwide, based on the belief that the press cannot be truly free unless women enjoy equal opportunities to cover issues of importance to the public. Strives to create networks among women dedicated to journalism. Provides training sessions, forums, and seminars. Also gives annual "courage in journalism" awards to journalists who have demonstrated excellence under dangerous circumstances. Publishes a quarterly newsletter and an annual directory listing over 1000 women journalists. Sponsors programs for women journalists in Eastern and Central Europe, Russia, Africa, Latin America and the United States.
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM COMMITTEE (WPFC)
11600 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22091
USA
Phone: (703) 648-1000
Fax: (703) 620-4557
As a coordination group of more than 30 national and international news media organizations, supports freedom of the press, especially in Eastern Europe and the Third World. Offers technical (both print and broadcast) assistance to Third World journalists. Conducts seminars and training programs. WPFC also administers the Fund Against Censorship, which investigates and protests governmental attempts to censor the press and assists with legal challenges to press censorship. In addition, WPFC established the Central and Eastern European Center for Communications in Warsaw, Poland to facilitate training in the region.
WORLD PRESS INSTITUTE (WPI)
1635 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
USA
Phone: (612) 696-6360
Fax: (612) 696-6306
e-mail: [email protected]
Offers journalists a comprehensive introduction to the press in the United States through WPI's international media fellowships -- a four-month program for groups of 10 foreign journalists. Includes travel throughout the United States and exposure to a wide variety of U.S. media. Fellowship applicants must have at least five years professional journalism experience and be currently employed outside the United States. WPI is based at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Issues of
Democracy
USIA Electronic Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1, February
1997