An inspiring group of frontline journalists and activists worldwide are launching new digital journalism tools, supplanting state media, and tackling taboo topics in the face of great opposition. Now, you can find close to 100 global leaders in advancing press freedom through the new World Press Freedom Fellows web feature on irex.org [5].
Every year on May 3 the international community celebrates World Press Freedom Day [6] with an international conference of journalists, advocates, policy-makers and development specialists. They examine media freedom challenges around the world and issues surrounding strengthening media sectors. They also pay tribute to journalists who have taken great risk to inform their communities, including those who have died as a result of their work.
In an initiative conceived and launched by IREX in 2011, World Press Freedom Fellows are selected to attend the UNESCO [7]-led conference to contribute their personal experiences and expertise to the discussions. The Fellows, who would otherwise not have support to participate, meet counterparts from other challenging media environments and gain contacts, skills and the strength drawn from understanding they are not alone in their fight.
The new tool on irex.org [5] allows rights advocates, researchers, policy-makers and development professionals to learn more about these media leaders and reach out to those who have made public their contact information.
“It’s fitting that we not only honor these individuals for their brave work, but help provide ways for others to work collectively with them toward media freedom,” said Mark Whitehouse, IREX Vice President. “This feature makes it easier to both keep tabs and in touch.”
The feature offers profiles of enterprising journalists from around the world who have fought for press freedom in diverse places such as China, Cuba, Georgia, Iraq, Mozambique and South Sudan. Users can find them easily by name and country. Many have put their lives on the line to tell important stories. Some have even blogged their personal experiences in detention.
[5]Among the fellows are:
- Hayder Hamzoz [8], a leading blogger and cyberactivist who used mobile technologies to capture demonstrations in Iraq, despite suffering threats and physical attacks;
- Pablo Diaz [9], who works with independent journalists in Cuba and provides a platform for them to publish news that would otherwise be censored by the government; and
- Fatoumata Forfana [10], who is breaking gender stereotypes as the Editor-in-Chief of Liberia’s oldest independent newspaper.