Freedom of opinion and expression: specialist NGOs

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Description: "Established in 1987, ARTICLE 19 fights for all hostages of censorship, defends dissenting voices that have been muzzled, and campaigns against laws and practices that silence. We take our name from article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." ARTICLE 19 monitors, researches, publishes, lobbies, campaigns, sets standards and litigates on behalf of freedom of expression wherever it is threatened. We provide expertise on international human rights standards and for legislation that protects the right to speak and right to know in countries emerging from conflict, war and genocide or repression. We campaign to safeguard media pluralism, independence and diversity of views. We promote the right to know of poorer communities and advocate for the implementation of freedom of information legislation to ensure transparency and strengthen citizens' participation. We champion freedom of expression, including freedom of information, as a fundamental human right that is also central to the protection of other rights. Freedom of expression allows people to demand the right to health, to a clean environment, to memory and to justice. It makes electoral democracy meaningful and builds public trust in administration. It strengthens mechanisms to hold governments accountable for their promises, obligations and actions. It provides external checks on state accountability, and thus prevents corruption which thrives on secrecy and closed environments. At present, we work with more than 80 implementing partners across the globe that are active in areas such as human rights, freedom of information, democratisation, the media, women, health and environment..."
Source/publisher: Article 19
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Source/publisher: Article 19
Date of entry/update: 2014-07-11
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English, Burmese/ မြန်မာဘာသာ
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Description: "The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1981. We promote press freedom worldwide by defending the rights of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal..."
Source/publisher: Committee to Protect Journalists
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Description: "Human Rights Watch is one of the world?s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For 30 years, Human Rights Watch has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world.... Mission Statement: Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all..."
Source/publisher: Human Rights Watch
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Description: "The global network for free expression".... A major node in the freedom of expression network. Links to 250 freedom of expression groups....What we do: "As violations of the right to free expression continue around the globe, the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) has emerged as a strong force of opposition. IFEX is a dynamic network that monitors, promotes and defends freedom of expression worldwide. IFEX was born in 1992 in Montréal, Canada when leading free expression organisations came together to create a mechanism that would improve cooperation and allow for the rapid exchange of information on free expression issues. IFEX has over 80 member organisations operating in more than 50 countries, the majority in the developing world and countries in transition. The right to freedom of expression, enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is widely recognised as a vital component of any functioning democracy. When journalists are killed, newspapers banned, radio stations closed and free expression advocates jailed, citizens are denied access to the information they need to participate in decisions affecting their lives and communities. Under these conditions, citizens are also denied the security of an environment that allows for the safe exercise of their human rights. IFEX plays a key role in addressing threats to free expression by exposing violations and raising awareness of the dangers faced by individuals in many countries who report the news or criticise powerful figures. IFEX works to help build the foundations of healthy democracies by protecting the rights of journalists, free expression advocates and others to hold those in power accountable..."
Source/publisher: IFEX (International Freedom of Expression eXchange)
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English, Francais, Espanol, عربي (Arabic), Russian
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Description: Several articles
Source/publisher: IFEX
Date of entry/update: 2015-02-04
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Description: "Index on Censorship is Britain?s leading organisation promoting freedom of expression. With its global profile, its website provides up-to-the-minute news and information on free expression from around the world. Our events and projects put our causes into action. Our award-winning magazine shines a light on these vital issues through original, challenging and intelligent writing..."
Source/publisher: Index on Censorship
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Description: "The International Federation of Journalists is the world's largest organisation of journalists. First established in 1926, it was relaunched in 1946 and again, in its present form, in 1952. Today the Federation represents around 600.000 members in more than 100 countries. The IFJ promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists. The IFJ does not subscribe to any given political viewpoint, but promotes human rights, democracy and pluralism. The IFJ is opposed to discrimination of all kinds and condemns the use of media as propaganda or to promote intolerance and conflict. The IFJ believes in freedom of political and cultural expression and defends trade union and other basic human rights. The IFJ is the organisation that speaks for journalists within the United Nations system and within the international trade union movement. The IFJ supports journalists and their unions whenever they are fighting for their industrial and professional rights and has established an International Safety Fund to provide humanitarian aid for journalists in need..."
Source/publisher: International Federation of Journalists
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English, Francais, Espanol
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Description: Slovakia-based media monitoring group. Has carried out reports on media in the Burma elections..."MEMO 98 is an internationally-recognized, independent and non-profit specialist media institution, with 11 year-long experience of conducting media monitoring and research and assisting civil society groups. Using tested and approved methodologies and tools; we provide quality services with tangible results. We are probably best known for our media analysis and monitoring during elections. Having participated in some 70 election observation missions (EOMs) in more than 30 countries and about 100 media & election related projects and trainings; our experts provide advice and assistance on media & electoral and other democratic arrangements. We conduct media monitoring, write reports and make recommendations to both the public and policy makers on media & election legislation, international standards concerning the media and the electoral process and democratic governance. Our mission statement is expressed in the slogan "Ensure that all citizens have free access to balanced public information". ..."
Source/publisher: Memo98
Date of entry/update: 2011-07-01
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English, Slovak (for some European texts)
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Description: Monitors Internet filtering....."The OpenNet Initiative is a collaborative partnership of four leading academic institutions: the Citizen Lab at the Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto; Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University; the Advanced Network Research Group at the Cambridge Security Programme, University of Cambridge; and the Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University. Our aim is to investigate, expose and analyze Internet filtering and surveillance practices in a credible and non-partisan fashion. We intend to uncover the potential pitfalls and unintended consequences of these practices, and thus help to inform better public policy and advocacy work in this area. To achieve these aims, the ONI employs a unique multi-disciplinary approach that includes: 1. Development and deployment of a suite of technical enumeration tools and core methodologies for the study of Internet filtering and surveillance; 2. Capacity-building among networks of local advocates and researchers; 3. Advanced studies exploring the consequences of current and future trends and trajectories in filtering and surveillance practices, and their implications for domestic and international law and governance regimes..."
Source/publisher: OpenNet Initiative
Date of entry/update: 2009-12-01
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Source/publisher: PEN America
Date of entry/update: 2015-02-04
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Description: "A fellowship of writers working for more than seventy-five years to advance literature, to promote a culture of reading, and to defend free expression."
Source/publisher: Pen American Center
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Description: "Reporters Without Borders: - defends journalists and media assistants imprisoned or persecuted for doing their job and exposes the mistreatment and torture of them in many countries. - fights against censorship and laws that undermine press freedom. - gives financial aid each year to 100 or so journalists or media outlets in difficulty (to pay for lawyers, medical care and equipment) as well to the families of imprisoned journalists. - works to improve the safety of journalists, especially those reporting in war zones..."...Communiques de presse et rapports sur la libert? d`expression, et la situation des m?dias et des journalistes en Birmanie.
Source/publisher: Reporters Sans Frontieres - Reporters Without Borders
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: Francais, English, Espanol, Chinese, Arabic
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Description: "The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation campaigning for genuine press freedom in Southeast Asia. Established in Bangkok in November 1998, it aims to unite independent journalists? and press-related organizations in the region into a force for advocacy and mutual protection. SEAPA?s goal is to provide a forum for the defence of press freedom, giving protection to journalists and nurturing an environment where free expression, transparency, pluralism and a responsible media culture can flourish. Membership in the Alliance is open to independent press advocacy organisations with a proven track record of working for press freedom. SEAPA?s founding members—from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand—are among the most well established press advocacy organizations in Southeast Asia. Together they bring an innovative regional perspective to the practice of journalism and a vision of a Southeast Asia that is the home of a free and vibrant media...".....54 search results for Burma (November 2012)
Source/publisher: Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Date of entry/update: 2012-11-19
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Individual Documents

Source/publisher: PEN International
Date of entry/update: 2015-02-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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