Protecting and Promoting Human Rights Through Media

Dear Friend,

“All people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; . . . These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. . . . Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure.”

President Barack Obama (June 4, 2009 in Cairo, Egypt)

On December 10, Human Rights Day, we note with concern that basic principles, from freedom of expression to freedom of association, are under assault in countries around the world. Today we highlight a new Internews program to strengthen human rights coverage and bolster freedom of expression through the media and the Internet.

Internews Launches Global Human Rights Program

Aim is to Deepen Public Understanding of Rights and Strengthen Access to Information

Against a backdrop of declining political rights and civil liberties worldwide, Internews Network has launched an ambitious global program to spur media coverage of human rights and reform of media and Internet law and policy.

Internews' program is part of a two-year, $10 million grant from the US Agency for International Development to a consortium of US-based non-governmental organizations to bolster human rights protections, particularly freedom of association, freedom of expression, and access to justice. Known as the Rights Consortium, the effort is headed by Freedom House and also includes the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and Global Rights.

Global Network Initiative Advances Freedom of Expression

Internews joins fellow Global Network Initiative members including Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Human Rights First, and others in marking the first anniversary of GNI’s collaboration on freedom of expression and privacy on the Internet. Read more about GNI's accomplishments and plans in this newsletter (PDF).

This Holiday Season, Help Empower Local Media Worldwide

Planning your year-end giving? Help support independent, local media worldwide! Your gift to Internews empowers local journalists to get people the information they need on issues like public health, climate change, women's issues and humanitarian crises.

Do your online holiday shopping at your favorite retailers through We-Care, and, at no cost to you, a portion of every purchase will be donated to Internews.

Contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign. Federal Employees can donate by selecting Internews, #12252, in their giving allotment.

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Catalyzing Coverage of Climate Change, November 12, 2009
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