Journalists' Organisations

There are many organisations supporting journalists and dealing with media issues. They publish country reports, offer training, campaign for press freedoms and carry tips for journalists.

Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN): A non-political organisation seeking to build cooperation between national news agencies in the Mediterranean.

Arab Press Network (APN): The APN is a digital network which supports the development of a stronger independent press in the Arab world by facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences between newspaper publishers and editors. APN is operated by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), the global organisation for the newspaper industry.

Article XIX: A UK-registered charity that defends and promotes freedom of expression and freedom of information all over the world, Article XIX lobbies on behalf of freedom of expression wherever it is threatened, and campaigns to safeguard media pluralism, independence and diversity of views. Their website has a section (in English and Arabic) on the Middle East and North Africa, and a section (in English and Russian) on Europe, mainly dedicated to the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Caucasus Media Investigations Center: Launched to unite Caucasus journalists’ efforts against human trafficking, corruption, illegal business of narcotics, health care problems, regional conflicts and other problems existing in Caucasus, as it says on its website. It was established by several Azeri and Georgian journalists.

Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations: A human rights organisation within the Russian Union of Journalists. Its main activities include monitoring violations of media rights in Russia and the CIS republics, investigating especially grave violations, murder, beatings, threats etc, and researching the conditions and legal status of journalistic work in "hot spots" like Chechnya. Website in English and Russian.

Cross Caucasus Journalism Network (within  IWPR): promotes ties between journalists across the Caucasus, helps share information and create partnerships, organizes professional training.

European Federation of Journalists: A regional organisation of the International Federation of Journalists, this is Europe's largest organisation of journalists with some 280,000 members in over thirty countries. Website in English and French.

European Journalism Centre (EJC): An independent, international, non-profit institute dedicated to furthering standards in journalism primarily through training. The EJC publishes a Media News Digest for which you can register (Media News).

European Neighbourhood Journalism Network: An EU-funded project that aims to train the journalists of southern Mediterranean, Eastern European and southern Caucasus countries. The site provides information about the European Neighbourhood Policy, and seeks to facilitate networking between journalists from these regions with the goal of building bridges within the neighbourhood.

European Neighbourhood Journalism Network: An EU-funded project that aims to train the journalists of southern Mediterranean, Eastern European and southern Caucasus countries. The site provides information about the European Neighbourhood Policy, and seeks to facilitate networking between journalists from these regions with the goal of building bridges within the neighbourhood.

Federation of Arab Journalists: Website in Arabic.

Federation of Arab News Agencies: Seeks to contribute to the development of cooperation between the agencies and in assisting the emerging Arab News Agencies through providing them with financial, technical aid and expertise and through the exchange of experts and inter-member visits of officials and technicians.
 

Freedom House: A non-profit organization promoting democracy and freedom around the world. Through a vast array of international programmes and publications, it works to advance the expansion of political and economic freedom, and freedom of the press.

Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR): Aims at building peace and democracy through free and fair media. It provides training and initiatives to build local media capacity.

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ): The world's largest organisation of journalists with around 500,000 members in more than 100 countries. Website in English, French and Spanish. For the IFJ Middle East and North Africa website click here and for the European branch click here.

International News Safety Institute (INSI): A coalition of media organisations, press freedom groups, unions and humanitarian campaigners dedicated to the safety of journalists and media staff. Key information in many languages including English, Arabic and French.

International Press Freedom Exchange: With 64 members, it brings together many of the world's leading freedom of expression organisations. It campaigns for press freedoms and monitors the situation of journalists throughout the world. Website in English, French and Spanish. It includes a special section on the Middle East and North Africa.

International Press Institute (IPI): A global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of press freedom, the promotion of the free flow of news and information, and the improvement of journalism practices.

IPI World Press Freedom Review for Middle East and North Africa: Looks at press freedom and security in the Middle East and North Africa.

Reporters Without Borders: A Paris-based organisation working in several regions and countries to promote press freedom and support and defend journalists. Website in English, French, Spanish. It includes a handbook for bloggers and cyber-dissidents with tips on how to get round press censorship.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI): Covers human rights in the Arab world, including press related issues (English, Arabic).

The International Journalists' Network: Monitors the state of the media around the world. It is published by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) that campaigns and works for the development of a strong, independent press.