In partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, we’re calling for applications from lawyers and organisations based in the Asia-Pacific region for grants to fund strategic litigation related to media freedom.
Context
As part of our work to help build a strong global legal defence network for independent media, we fund strategic litigation. This is litigation that aims to improve the legal environment for media freedom. We support strategic litigation that covers a wide range of issues faced by the media. This includes restrictions introduced to limit the spread of COVID-19 that are open to abuse, internet shutdowns, the use of criminal laws to target legitimate speech, judicial harassment, the right to be forgotten, source protection, arbitrary detention and torture, and violence and impunity.
In addition to providing a grant, we can provide legal mentoring and substantive support where requested.
How to apply
Any lawyers or interested organisations should complete the application form, available here. Applicants should submit their application to Sophie Gougeon (sophie.gougeon@mediadefence.org). If you have any questions regarding this special call or our grants programme, then please contact Sophie.
We will assess applications on a rolling basis. Media Defence aims to respond to your application within two weeks of submission.
The final deadline to submit applications is 30 September 2022.
To see the full Call for Applications, click here.
Recent News
Mamunur Rashid Nomani charged with violating Bangladesh’s Digital Security Act
Journalist Mamunur Rashid Nomani, editor of the local online news portal Barishal Khobor, has been charged with violating Bangladesh’s Digital Security Act (DSA), following an accusation claiming that he secretly filmed the mayor of Barisal and his family. Nomani rejects this, alleging instead that he and two of his acquaintances – Kamrul Mridha, working for […]
Media Defence extends partnership with three organisations in sub-Saharan Africa
As part of Media Defence’s project Empowering Women in Digital Rights Advocacy, we are building a strong legal defence network in sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this goal, we are providing financial assistance to organisations to establish legal aid units or media defence centres. We are excited to announce that, as part of this project, we are extending […]
15 Years of Impact: Internet Shutdowns
This year marks Media Defence’s 15th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, we will be taking a look at the ways in which freedom of expression has been threatened around the world, and how we have sought to protect it. The internet has become an essential part of modern life. It has transformed the way we […]