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
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 […]