| Press Freedom and Media Development |
In countless countries across the world, the continued existence of free and independent newspapers is little short of a miracle. In many countries, journalists are physically attacked, imprisoned, censored, suspended or harassed for their pains. In others, they are simply left alone to sink beyond a trace, crippled by debts. WAN-IFRA wants to give a chance to even more journalists and managers to continue disproving economics and severe adversity in their determination to build newspapers they can be proud of. With this objective in mind, WAN-IFRA is convinced that newspapers need to be economically viable, and therefore commercially successful, if they are to be truly free and independent and able to play their essential role in developing political, economic and social progress and stability. In its primary mission to improve the global press freedom situation, WAN-IFRA's activities to defend and promote press freedom include: Protest campaigns WAN-IFRA conducts aggressive and persistent protest campaigns against press freedom violations worldwide, and in particular government measures that compromise freedom of expression. WAN-IFRA monitors the press freedom situation by tracking persecutions, jailing and murder of journalists and the censorship, suspension and banning of newspapers and other media world-wide. Bi-annual reports, press releases and presentations including the most accurate facts and figures are produced to keep the industry informed of the state of press freedom in the world. Press Freedom Campaigns WAN-IFRA conducts long-term campaigns and targeted events with the aim to raise public awareness about critical press freedom matters. Press Freedom Awards Every year, WAN-IFRA hands out the Golden Pen of Freedom and the Gebran Tueni Award. With these press freedom awards WAN-IFRA highlights the achievements of individuals, groups and institutions in the cause of press freedom. Legal Framework WAN-IFRA gives recommendations on the creation of legal frameworks to safeguard the ethical, juridical and economic interests of a free press. Training and Skills Transfer The Press Freedom Development Fund is used to finance workshops, scholarships and consulting for newspapers, on a non-profit basis, to help independent press development, covering both editorial and commercial issues. Arab Newspaper Development Programme (ANDP) ANDP is a pan-Arab project that consists of a series of commercial and editorial development projects within newspapers, in altogether twelve countries. Using a pyramid structure, it allows newspapers in the region to share their respective expertise and experience. Vietnam Press Leaders Training Programme WAN-IFRA currently runs a training programme for Vietnamese newspaper executives, designed to accelerate the growth and professionalism within the newspaper market. Twinning Programme WAN-IFRA facilitates cooperation between a well-established newspaper and one in an emerging market. The programme aims at enabling the exchange of knowledge and know-how between two partners on specific subjects identified by them. Electronic Networks WAN-IFRA runs two electronic networks, the Arab Press Network (APN) and the African Press Network for the 21st Century (RAP21). These online platforms distribute the latest news in the area of newspaper management, editorial issues, press freedom and also provide information about training opportunities available for media professionals in the region. APN publishes daily news on its website in Arabic, English and French, whereas RAP 21 publishes a weekly newsletter in English and French. |
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