The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) fights for the rights of journalists around the world to report the news freely, without fear of reprisals. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, CPJ relies solely on contributions from individuals and corporations to carry out our important work. In order to preserve independence, they do not accept any government grants or support of any kind.

How did CPJ get started?

A group of U.S. foreign correspondents created CPJ in response to the often brutal treatment of their foreign colleagues by authoritarian governments and other enemies of independent journalism.

Who runs CPJ?

CPJ has a full-time staff of 23 at its New York headquarters, including area specialists for each major world region. CPJ has a Washington, D.C., representative, and consultants stationed around the world. A 35-member board of prominent journalists directs CPJ’s activities

Why is press freedom important?

Without a free press, few other human rights are attainable. A strong press freedom environment encourages the growth of a robust civil society, which leads to stable, sustainable democracies and healthy social, political, and economic development. CPJ works in more than 120 countries, many of which suffer under repressive regimes, debilitating civil war, or other problems that harm press freedom and democracy.

How does CPJ protect journalists?

By publicly revealing abuses against the press and by acting on behalf of imprisoned and threatened journalists, CPJ effectively warns journalists and news organizations where attacks on press freedom are occurring. CPJ organizes vigorous public protests and works through diplomatic channels to effect change. CPJ publishes articles and news releases; special reports; a biannual magazine, Dangerous Assignments; and Attacks on the Press, the most comprehensive annual survey of press freedom around the world.

Where does CPJ get its information?

CPJ has full-time program coordinators monitoring the press in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Central Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. They track developments through their own independent research, fact-finding missions, and firsthand contacts in the field, including reports from other journalists. CPJ shares information on breaking cases with other press freedom organizations worldwide through the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, a global e-mail network.

When would a journalist call upon CPJ?

In an emergency. Using local and foreign contacts, CPJ can intervene whenever local and foreign correspondents are in trouble. CPJ is prepared to notify news organizations, government officials, and human rights organizations immediately of press freedom violations.

When traveling on assignment. CPJ can advise journalists covering dangerous assignments.

When covering the news. Attacks against the press are news, and they often serve as the first signal of a crackdown on all freedoms. CPJ is uniquely situated to provide journalists with information and insight into press conditions around the world (www.cpj.com).

II. Say whether the statements true or false, using the information from the text:

• As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, CPJ relies on contributions from government.
• CPJ has a full-time staff of 23 at its Washington, D.C.headquarters, including area specialists for each major world region.
• CPJ works in more than 120 countries, many of which suffer under repressive regimes.
• CPJ organizes very few public protests and works through diplomatic channels to effect change.

III. SPEAKING ACTIVITY/ ROLE-PLAY:

Student A: You are a young journalist traveling on dangerous assignments. You decide to phone the CPJ.

Student B: You are the representative of the CPJ.

IV. NETWORKING/PRESENTATION

• Below you’ll read through the classification of attacks on the press.
• Search in the Internet and find the examples on each point.
• Present your findings in class.

CPJ classifies cases according to the following definitions:

Abducted

Seized and detained by a non-governmental entity. CPJ has determined that a credible claim of responsibility has been made.

Attacked

In the case of journalists, wounded or assaulted. In the case of news facilities, damaged, raided, or searched; non-journalist employees attacked because of news coverage or commentary.

Censored

Officially suppressed or banned; editions confiscated; news outlets closed.

Expelled

Forced to leave a country because of news coverage or commentary.

Harassed

Access denied or limited; materials confiscated or damaged; entry or exit denied; family members attacked or threatened; dismissed or demoted (when it is clearly the result of political or outside pressure); freedom of movement impeded; detained for less than 48 hours.

Imprisoned

Arrested or detained by a government entity for at least 48 hours.

Killed

Murdered in retribution for, or to prevent, news coverage or commentary. Also includes journalists killed in crossfire or while covering dangerous assignments.

Killed (Motive Unconfirmed)

The motive for a journalist's murder is unclear, but there is reason to believe it may be related to his or her professional duties. CPJ continues to research the reasons for the crime and encourages local authorities to pursue their investigations.

Legal Action

Credentials denied or suspended; fined; sentenced to prison; visas denied or canceled; passage of a restrictive law; libel suit intended to inhibit coverage.

Missing

Vanished. No group has taken responsibility for the journalist's disappearance; in some instances, feared dead.

Threatened

Menaced with physical harm or some other type of retribution.

V. WRITING ACTIVITY/ NETWORKING

Prepare a concluding report on the problem “journalists at risk” using information from the Internet. Answer the question: “Why do journalists die to tell the story?”

VI. NETWORKING:

Find in the Internet the information about some other Organizations to protect journalists.

Present the list of organizations with brief characterization of each in class.

VII. PROJECT WORK: You are going to participate in a contest “Create your own organization and we will invest in your project”

· Work in groups.

· Create your own Organization which aim is to protect journalists.

· Points to be considered:

Ø The name of organization

Ø Slogan

Ø Emblem

Ø Ruling

Ø Main principles

Ø Code of organization

Ø Plans for the future

· Make up a Power Point Presentation of your Organization. Prepare to answer the questions.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-11