Freedom of press is the basis of democratic societies. But in many countries journalists are under threat. The association Reporters without Borders is committed to media freedom. Worldwide. It documents violations of press freedom and freedom of information and alerts the public when journalists and/or their staff are in danger.
Reporters without Borders is part of the international organisation Reporters sans frontières, which was founded in 1985 and has its headquarters in Paris. The German section was founded in Berlin in 1994 and is organisationally and financially independent. Together with the international secretariat in Paris, Reporters without Borders e.V. researches and coordinates international campaigns and actions.
ACTIVE AGAINST CENSORSHIP
The association campaigns for security and better protection of journalists, fights against censorship and restrictive media laws, as well as against the use of surveillance technology and its export.
SUPPORT
The focus of the work is on assistance inside the countries of origin of those affected. The aim is to help them in such a way that they can continue or resume their journalistic activities. Reporters Without Borders replaces destroyed or confiscated equipment, pays legal fees and deposits bail to avoid imprisonment. When it is lifethreatening for journalists or their staff to remain in their home country, Reporters Without Borders works to find a safe host country.
CORRESPONDENT NETWORK
A global, tightly woven network for rapid information and intervention is created by more than 150 correspondents and offices in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, England, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia and the USA, as well as in Senegal. The association is financed by donations and membership fees.
INDICATOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS
“Everyone has the right to freedom of expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to hold information and ideas without interference by any media. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”, states Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Where independent reporting is not allowed and where people cannot freely express their opinions, other human rights are also violated. Therefore, the freedom to inform and to be informed is always a reliable indicator of the respect for universal human rights in a country.