Reporters Without Borders for Press Freedom
International NGO Defends Media Rights and Freedom of Expression
Nov 2, 2009
Reporters Without Borders was founded in Montpellier in 1985 by a group of French journalists. Also commonly referred to as RSF for its French name, Reporters Sans Frontieres, what started as a movement for press freedom and awareness of human rights issues has evolved into a highly organized and effective international NGO, operating in four continents. Since its inception, this organization has built up a reputation as a champion of not only journalists and media rights, but also the people, as they are leaders in the fight against government censorship and oppression of freedom of expression.
How Reporters Without Borders Promotes Media Rights
Reporters Without Borders was founded on the foundational principals of press freedom. Journalists have the right to investigate and uncover information, and citizens have the right to free access of that information as well as outlets for sharing their own thoughts and expression. Ensuring worldwide media rights is a difficult, if not impossible task, but this diligent international NGO has found ways to make a difference.
The first and primary effort of Reporters Without Borders is to defend imprisoned and persecuted journalists. Employees of the NGO contact governments to release reporters and bloggers who have been jailed for reporting news or voicing their freedom of expression, contrary to the wishes of the government. They also work to inform the global community about mistreatment, violence, and even the murder of journalists and media voices by governments, mafias, and extremist groups. Reporters Without Borders puts out press releases to expose any infringement of press freedom, and works with public relations firms to build awareness.
This NGO looks after the working conditions of journalists, making efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of reporters in dangerous climates, such as war zones. Employees of Reporters Without Borders will sometimes travel to different regions to go on fact-finding missions, to investigate first-hand the conditions that reporters are working under and to uncover the truth about imprisoned and murdered journalists.
Also, to help those struggling in the media field, every year Reporters Without Borders gives out financial aid to journalists and media outlets for legal or medical aid, as well as equipment, and to the families of imprisoned journalists.
How Reporters Without Borders Promotes Freedom of Expression
This international NGO focuses not only on press freedom, but also on the rights of citizens to gain and share knowledge. At one time this was a more straightforward task, exposing censorship laws and the oppression of authoritarian regimes. In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty (October 14, 2008), Reporters Without Borders co-founder Robert Menard points out today's more dynamic enemies of freedom of expression and media rights. "Today, its less the governments that attack press freedom and human rights than it is mafias, corrupt politicians, religious fundamentalists, and separatists movements ... so we have more press freedom, but also more violence towards the media."
Reporters Without Borders tries to combat obstacles to freedom of expression mostly though exposure. From internet censorship to assassinations, from the United States to Guatemala, this international NGO is a central hub for news and case reporting on what is going on across the globe.
Who Funds Reporters Without Borders?
Reporters Without Borders is funded from a number of sources. This NGO takes private donations from individuals and private firms. They also receive public grants, member dues, and revenue from their publications, which tend to cover about half of their annual income. A Reporters Without Borders book of photography is released twice a year — once on World Press Freedom Day, May 3rd, and on one Jailed Journalists Support Day in November. The photography books are filed with amazing images, capturing a magnificent view of the world by the journey of international reporters.
Reporters Without Borders has been a prominent voice of press freedom and a representative of the people's voice for decades. They have expanded both their range, as well as their influence over the years, and will likely continue to champion worldwide media rights.
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