NationMaster - Encyclopedia: International Freedom of Expression Exchange

The International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), founded in 1992, is a global network of 71 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The term non-governmental organization (NGO) is used in a variety of ways all over the world and, depending on the context in which it is used, can refer to many different types of organizations. ... Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. ...

IFEX harnesses the power of the Internet to rapidly exchange information and mobilise action on issues such as press freedom, Internet censorship, freedom of information legislation, criminal defamation and insult laws, media concentration and attacks on journalists, writers, human rights defenders and Internet users. Freedom of the press (or press freedom) is the guarantee by a government of free public speech often through a state constitution for its citizens, and associations of individuals extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published reporting. ... Countries where the free flow of information is restricted. ... Over seventy countries around the world have implemented some form of freedom of information legislation, which sets rules on access to information or records held by government bodies, the oldest being Swedens Freedom of the Press Act of 1766. ... In English and American law, and systems based on them, libel and slander are two forms of defamation (or defamation of character), which is the tort or delict of making a false statement of fact that injures someones reputation. ... An insult is a statement or action which affronts or demeans someone. ... Concentration of media ownership (also known as media consolidation or media convergence) is a commonly used term among media critics, policy makers, and others to characterize ownership structure of media industries. ... A journalist is a person who practices journalism. ... Though anyone who creates a written work may be called a writer, the term is usually reserved for those who write creatively or professionally, or those who have written in many different forms. ... Human rights defender is a term used to describe people who, individually or with others, act to promote or protect human rights. ...

A Clearing House in Toronto, Canada, coordinates the programmes and activities of IFEX, and is managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression on behalf of the members. A clearing house (or clearinghouse) is an organization affiliated with a securities or derivatives exchange that completes the transactions on that exchange by seeing to validation, delivery, and settlement. ... Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) is a Canadian non-governmental organization supported by Canadian journalists and advocates of free expression. ...

The membership of IFEX encompasses a broad array of organisations that work to defend journalists and media personnel, academics, photographers and camera operators, writers, cyber-dissidents, publishers, cartoonists, community radio stations and libraries. A journalist is a person who practices journalism. ... Plato is credited with the inception of academia: the body of knowledge, its development and transmission across generations. ... This is a list of notable photographers in the art, documentary and fashion traditions. ... Large format camera lens. ... Though anyone who creates a written work may be called a writer, the term is usually reserved for those who write creatively or professionally, or those who have written in many different forms. ... A dissident is a person who actively opposes the established order. ... Gefen Publishing House, is dedicated to producing a broad range of quality titles relating to Judaism, Jewish thought, and Israel, including history, the Holocaust, art, childrens books, philosophy, science, biographies, and more. ... A cartoonist at work. ... Community radio is a type of radio service that caters to the interests of a certain area, broadcasting material that is popular to a local audience but is overlooked by more powerful broadcast groups. ... Alternative meanings: Library (computer science), Library (biology) Modern-style library In its traditional sense, a library is a collection of books and periodicals. ...

Members include:

IFEX is an important source of information for many intergovernmental organizations that monitor freedom of expression, including: ARTICLE 19 is a human rights organisation with a specific mandate and focus on the defence and promotion of freedom of expression and freedom of information worldwide. ... Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) is a Canadian non-governmental organization supported by Canadian journalists and advocates of free expression. ... The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) is a private, not-for-profit organization based in Manila, Philippines. ... The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent, nonprofit organization based in New York which is dedicated to promoting press freedom worldwide and defending the right of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal. ... The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association, or EFJA, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that seeks to organize Ethiopian journalists and protect press freedoms in Ethiopia. ... This map reflects the findings of Freedom Houses 2006 survey Freedom in the World, concerning the state of world freedom in 2005. ... Hong Kong Journalists Association (é¦™æ¸¯è¨˜è€…å”æœƒ) was established in 1968 for practicing journalists in Hong Kong with the stated goal to enhance press freedom and the integrity of news coverage. ... Human Rights Watch Banner Human Rights Watch is a United States-based international non-government organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. ... Index on Censorship is a magazine founded by the British writer Stephen Spender in 1972 to monitor and promote freedom of speech. ... Inter American Press Association (IAPA) is a press advocacy group representing media organizations in the United States, Canada, and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. ... The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is a worldwide organization created to provide librarians around the world with a forum for exchanging ideas, and promoting international cooperation, research and development in all fields of library activity. ... International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, is global union federation of journalists trade unions - the largest in the world. ... Logo of International PEN International PEN, the worldwide association of writers, was founded in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere; to emphasise the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture; to fight for freedom of expression; and to act as... International Press Institute (IPI) is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. ... Journalist en danger, sometimes called JED, is an independent, non partisan non-profit organization (French: ) founded on November 20, 1998 in Kinshasa, Congo Kinshasa on the initiative of a group of Congolese journalists for the defence and promotion of the press freedom in Congo Kinshasa. ... The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (The Alliance) is the trade union and professional organisation which covers everyone in the media, entertainment, sports and arts industries. ... The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) is a non-governmental organisation with members in 11 of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries. ... This article or section needs to be wikified. ... PEN American Center (PEN), founded in 1922 and based in New York City, works to advance literature, to defend free expression, and to foster international literary fellowship. ... Reporters Without Borders, or RWB (French: Reporters sans frontiÃ¨res, Spanish: Reporteros Sin Fronteras, or RSF) is a French origin international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press, founded by its current general-secretary, Robert Menard. ... The Southeast Asian Press Alliance is the only regional organization focused on promoting and protecting press freedom and freedom of expression in Southeast Asia. ... The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (French: Association Mondiale Des Radiodiffuseurs Communautaires, AMARC) is the international umbrella organization of community radio broadcasters, with nearly 3,000 members in 110 countries. ... The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) is an International organization that groups 72 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 100 nations, 13 news agencies, and nine regional press organisations. ...

1 History
2 Action Alert Network
3 IFEX Communiqué
4 Outreach and Development Programme
5 IFEX Website
6 Joint Actions and Campaigns
- 6.1 Tunisia Monitoring Group
7 Members of IFEX
8 See also
9 External links

The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) is an supranational body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights throughout the African continent. ... Anthem Ode to Joy (orchestral) ten founding members joined subsequently observer at the Parliamentary Assembly observer at the Committee of Ministers official candidate Seat Strasbourg, France Membership 47 European states 6 observers (Council) 3 observers (Assembly) Leaders - Secretary General Terry Davis - Commissioner for Human Rights Establishment - Treaty of London May... The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a United Nations agency that works to promote and protect the human rights that are guaranteed under international law and stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. ... The office of the Organization of American States (OAS) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression was established by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in 1997 to monitor member states compliance with human rights within the framework of the IACHRs mission. ... The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media functions as a watchdog on media developments in all 56 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ...

History

In 1992, several funding and development organisations recognized the need for more cooperation among freedom of expression groups by providing start-up support for IFEX. The Ford Foundation provided funding to hold the first IFEX meeting in Montreal, Canada. The Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation of New York supported the establishment of the IFEX Action Alert Network. UNESCO provided support through its International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), which helped to extend IFEX's links with the developing world and promote IFEX through its own network. The Ford Foundation is a charitable foundation based in New York City created to fund programs that promote democracy, reduce poverty, promote international understanding, and advance human achievement. ... Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (in unity, prosperity) Coordinates: Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government - Mayor GÃ©rald Tremblay Area [1][2][3] - City 365. ... NY redirects here. ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... The International Programme for the Development of Communication is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) programme aimed at strengthening the development of media in developing countries. ...

In 1992, several funding and development organisations recognized the need for more cooperation among freedom of expression groups by providing start-up support for IFEX. The Ford Foundation provided funding to hold the first IFEX meeting in Montreal, Canada. The Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation of New York supported the establishment of the IFEX Action Alert Network. UNESCO provided support through its International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), which helped to extend IFEX's links with the developing world and promote IFEX through its own network.History== The Ford Foundation is a charitable foundation based in New York City created to fund programs that promote democracy, reduce poverty, promote international understanding, and advance human achievement. ... Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (in unity, prosperity) Coordinates: Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government - Mayor GÃ©rald Tremblay Area [1][2][3] - City 365. ... NY redirects here. ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... The International Programme for the Development of Communication is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) programme aimed at strengthening the development of media in developing countries. ...

In 1992, several funding and development organisations recognized the need for more cooperation among freedom of expression groups by providing start-up support for IFEX. The Ford Foundation provided funding to hold the first IFEX meeting in Montreal, Canada. The Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation of New York supported the establishment of the IFEX Action Alert Network. UNESCO provided support through its International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), which helped to extend IFEX's links with the developing world and promote IFEX through its own networkHistory== The Ford Foundation is a charitable foundation based in New York City created to fund programs that promote democracy, reduce poverty, promote international understanding, and advance human achievement. ... Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (in unity, prosperity) Coordinates: Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government - Mayor GÃ©rald Tremblay Area [1][2][3] - City 365. ... NY redirects here. ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... The International Programme for the Development of Communication is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) programme aimed at strengthening the development of media in developing countries. ...

In 1992, several funding and development organisations recognized the need for more cooperation among freedom of expression groups by providing start-up support for IFEX. The Ford Foundation provided funding to hold the first IFEX meeting in Montreal, Canada. The Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation of New York supported the establishment of the IFEX Action Alert Network. UNESCO provided support through its International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), which helped to extend IFEX's links with the developing world and promote IFEX through its own network The Ford Foundation is a charitable foundation based in New York City created to fund programs that promote democracy, reduce poverty, promote international understanding, and advance human achievement. ... Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (in unity, prosperity) Coordinates: Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government - Mayor GÃ©rald Tremblay Area [1][2][3] - City 365. ... NY redirects here. ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... The International Programme for the Development of Communication is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) programme aimed at strengthening the development of media in developing countries. ...

Action Alert Network

One of the central components of IFEX is the Action Alert Network (AAN). Member organizations report freedom of expression abuses in their geographic region or area of expertise to the Clearing House which, in turn, circulates this information to other members and interested organisations all over the world. This efficient system enables members to stay abreast of their counterparts' activities, share information and research, and focus their energies where it is most needed. Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. ...

Importantly, the AAN also allows for a rapid, world-wide and coordinated response to press freedom and freedom of expression violations. Action Alerts help focus international attention on those responsible for human rights violations. This can make a significant difference, as those who violate human rights often rely on the cover of darkness. Freedom of the press (or press freedom) is the guarantee by a government of free public speech often through a state constitution for its citizens, and associations of individuals extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published reporting. ... Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. ... When a government violates national or international law related to the protection of human rights, this is termed a human rights violation. ...

IFEX Communiqué

IFEX also publishes the IFEX Communiqué (www.ifex.org), a weekly newsletter that reports on IFEX members' activities and on freedom of expression developments around the world. Distributed to thousands of subscribers in more than 150 countries, the IFEX Communiqué highlights free expression hotspots and issues including anti-terrorism laws, journalists' safety, women in the media, Internet censorship, media concentration and access to information. The newsletter is published in English, French, Spanish, Russian (http://www.ifex.cjes.ru/comm) and Arabic (http://hrinfo.net/ifex).

Outreach and Development Programme

Another key area of the Clearing House's work is the Outreach and Development Programme. Based on a recognition of current North-South disparities, this programme is designed to support and strengthen fledgling freedom of expression organisations in the developing world, Eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union.

The risks and obstacles faced by people who attempt to start up free expression groups in countries plagued by human rights abuses or censorship can be overwhelming, and IFEX offers vital transfusions of information, financial and technical resources, expertise, and international support and recognition.

IFEX Website

IFEX's trilingual (English, French, Spanish) website (www.ifex.org) contains the largest searchable online archive of information on free expression violations, dating back to 1995. The site is also available in Russian [1] and Arabic [2].

Joint Actions and Campaigns

IFEX brings members together to act jointly or campaign on freedom of expression issues, harnessing the collective power and resources of more than 70 organisations around the world. Through IFEX, members launch international joint actions to help free jailed individuals or challenge repressive laws (see: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/72555/).

IFEX also facilitates campaigns to focus attention on freedom of expression violations in specific countries or regions (http://campaigns.ifex.org). An advertising campaign is a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and theme which make up an integrated marketing communication (IMC). ...

Tunisia Monitoring Group

The IFEX Tunisia Monitoring Group, comprising 16 IFEX member organisations, is raising international awareness of censorship and other human rights violations in Tunisia. The Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG) is a coalition of 15 free expression organisations that belong to the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global network of non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press. ...

Launched in late 2004, this campaign aims to pressure the Tunisian government to improve its human rights record in the run-up to, and following, the UN-sponsored World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which was held in Tunis in November 2005. This article is about the United Nations, for other uses of UN see UN (disambiguation) Official languages English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic Secretary-General Kofi Annan (since 1997) Established October 24, 1945 Member states 191 Headquarters New York City, NY, USA Official site http://www. ... The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was a series of United Nations-sponsored conferences about information and communication that took place in 2003 and 2005. ...

The group has produced three reports which document widespread violations against independent journalists, human rights defenders and Internet users who criticise the government. The reports are based on fact-finding missions to Tunisia in 2005 and 2006.

Members of IFEX

Adil Soz (International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech) (Kazakhstan)
African Free Media Foundation (Kenya)
Algerian Centre for the Defence of Press Freedom (Algeria)
Alliance of Independent Journalists (Indonesia)
ARTICLE 19 (United Kingdom)
Arab Archives Institute (Jordan)
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo.net) (Egypt)
Association of Independent Electronic Media (Serbia & Montenegro)
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (Egypt)
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (Canada)
Cartoonists Rights Network (United States)
Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (Nepal)
Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (Russia)
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (Philippines)
Center For Media Studies & Peace Building (Liberia)
Center for Informative Reports on Guatemala (CERIGUA) (Guatemala)
Center for Social Communication (Mexico)
Committee to Protect Journalists (United States)
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (Egypt)
Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (Ethiopia)
Federation of Nepalese Journalists (Nepal)
Federation of Quebec Journalists (Canada)
Freedom House (United States)
Freedom of Expression Institute (South Africa)
Foundation for Press Freedom (Colombia)
Free Media Movement (Sri Lanka)
Glasnost Defence Foundation (Russia)
Globe International (Mongolia)
Greek Helsinki Monitor (Greece)
Guatemalan Association of Journalists - Press Freedom Committee (Guatemala)
Hong Kong Journalists Association (Hong Kong/China)
Human Rights Watch (United States)
Independent Journalism Center (Moldova)
Independent Journalism Centre (Nigeria)
Index on Censorship (United Kingdom)
Institute for Press and Society (Peru)
Institute for the Studies on Free Flow of Information (Indonesia)
Inter American Press Association (United States)
International Federation of Journalists (Belgium)
International PEN - Writers in Prison Committee (United Kingdom)
International Press Institute (Austria)
International Publishers Association (Switzerland)
IPS Communication Foundation (Bianet) (Turkey)
Journalist in Danger (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Journalists' Trade Union (Azerbaijan)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Australia)
Media Foundation for West Africa (Ghana)
Media Institute (Kenya)
Media Institute for Southern Africa (Namibia)
Media Rights Agenda (Nigeria)
Media Watch (Bangladesh)
Netherlands Association of Journalists (Netherlands)
Norwegian PEN (Norway)
Observatory for the Freedom of Press, Publishing and Creation in Tunisia (Tunisia)
Pacific Islands News Association (Fiji)
Pakistan Press Foundation (Pakistan)
Paraguayan Union of Journalists (Paraguay)
PEN American Center (United States)
PEN Canada (Canada)
PROBIDAD (El Salvador)
Reporters Without Borders (France)
Southeast Asian Press Alliance (Thailand)
South-East European Network for the Professionalization of the Media (Romania)
Thai Journalists Association (Thailand)
West African Journalists Association (Senegal)
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) (Canada)
World Association of Newspapers (France)
World Press Freedom Committee (United States)

External links

International Freedom of Expression eXchange website
Council of Europe - Media Freedom Division
European Union - Human Rights
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
OAS Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
UNESCO - Division of Freedom of Expression

Results from FactBites:

Freedom of Expression and Constructive Political Criticism (1243 words)
	Freedom of expression is essential for the establishment and sustenance of a good democratic state.
	However, it is also true that the freedom of expression is often abused, especially throughout the process of political scrutiny, producing destructive material that may violate the rights of others and damage the harmony of the society.
	Therefore, even though freedom of expression is essential for democratic governance, it is limited on reasonable grounds such as the protection of the rights and reputation of others, prevention of libel and slander, maintenance of public order, and the protection of national security.

International Freedom of Expression Exchange (451 words)
	International freedom of expression organizations today expressed grave concern about the poor state of freedom of expression in Tunisia, host country for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) which is to be held in Tunis, November 2005.
	A 60-page report on the state of freedom of expression in Tunisia and the conditions for participation in the WSIS to be held in Tunis, November 2005 has been published today by the International Freedom of expression Exchange Tunisia Monitoring Group, a group of 13 national, regional and international freedom of expression organizations.
	The International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) is a global network of 64 national, regional and international freedom of expression organisations.

More results at FactBites »

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