Media Defence is delighted to announce that the Ford Foundation has awarded the organisation a grant of $450,000. This funding, which will run over three years, will enable us to expand our work providing and facilitating high quality legal defence to journalists, citizen journalists and independent media under threat for their reporting, and advancing media freedom globally. In addition, the grant will also help us expand our local legal capacity building in Latin America.
“The free practice of journalism is shrinking around the world as we see increased criminalization and malicious prosecution of journalists and other independent sources of information. These attacks are depriving people of credible alternative information and undermining their ability to hold power accountable. We are privileged to partner with Media Defence in providing resources to challenge encroachments against the free practice of journalism, both online and offline.”
Otto Saki, Program Officer, Ford Foundation
“Media Defence is very grateful for Ford Foundation’s support. While our work to date has reached 93 countries and over 90% of journalists we supported continue to report, the pressure on independent media continues to grow and the need for high quality legal help is more urgent than ever. Ford Foundation’s support helps us reach more journalists in need to ensure they can continue to fulfil their fundamental watchdog role in society”
Alinda Vermeer, Interim CEO, Media Defence
If you are a journalist or media organisation in need of support, please click here.
To read more about our 2020-2024 strategy, please click here.
Recent News
Strategic Support for Legal Defenders of Press Freedom
Working with lawyers Part of Media Defence’s mission is to provide support to lawyers who represent journalists. We do this by providing knowledge exchange opportunities, such as litigation surgeries and in-depth exploration of specific legal issues. We also support lawyers with their cases. This can range from advising on case strategy to helping develop legal […]
Call for Applications: Media Defence Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery
Application Deadline: July 6th 2025 Date: September 22nd – 24th, 2025 Location: Windhoek, Namibia APPLY HERE Media Defence invites applications from lawyers based in sub-Saharan Africa to participate in an upcoming litigation surgery, a seminar focused on the rights to freedom of expression where participants learn from experts as well as participate in practical sessions […]
From Newsroom to Courtroom: Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus on Press Freedom in Cameroon
Welcome to the Press Freedom Advocates Series, where we hear from lawyers defending journalists across the world. We recently interviewed Cameroonian investigative journalist turned human rights Lawyer, Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus for our 2024 Annual Report. Media Defence previously supported Nicodemus through our Emergency Defence programme, when he was targeted for his journalism. Now, as a […]