Legal support for press freedom and journalistic integrity in Palau

The publisher of the Island Times is facing a defamation lawsuit from one of Palau’s most prominent business figures and the father of the current president of Palau. This has been condemned across the Pacific as an attack on free media and speech. Island Times have the support of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), Palau Media Council (PMC) and the IFJ. Defending Press Freedom in the region is a funding priority for the MSSF.

Nepal advocacy

Nepalese journalists are significantly affected in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unfair dismissals from media houses, job losses and a reduction of working hours (from full-time to part-time/or on news basis) have become common among Nepalese mass media workers. Media houses are also suffering financially due to a lack of advertisement revenues and less economic growth in the country. Questions are being raised on the future of Nepalese mass media and journalism as a career. There is a clear lack of awareness and information among journalists about media workers’ rights as well as potential support from the government.

MSSF supported the Nepal Press Union (NPU) to help build advocacy skills on Nepali media workers rights including skills in understanding the Nepali Media Act, Trade Union Rights and skills on ways to sensitise media houses on media workers’ rights. The project also advocated for media workers’ rights to government agencies, and policymakers by identifying problems with current mainstream media and providing suggestions to relevant authorities.  Three workshops were help in three provinces with 165 media workers trained (including 42 women).

Myanmar journalist safety office in exile

The military-appointed State Administration Council (SAC) since its 2021 coup, as of June 2024, has arrested 208 journalists of which 57 are still serving jail sentences. The SAC has increased its attacks on journalists, using a whole raft of amended legislation – treason, sedition, illegal association, terrorism, explosives – to give 3-year, 20-year and life sentences, including in some cases the death penalty. Many journalists now live in exile in Thailand. The Myanmar Journalists Network (MJN) struggles to continue to exist.

The MSSF has co-funded, with Norsk Journalistlag, a Safety Office in Exile in Northern Thailand with this support helping to build the capacity of the MJN. The office was used for trainings by MJN professional media trainers and executive members who delivered crucial online trainings for journalists free of charge. The MJN office also served as a venue for MJN networking building, frequently hosting delegates from international organisations focused on media development, labour unions, as well as individuals keen on understanding the current Myanmar media landscape. Additionally, the office provided a temporary workspace for Burmese media houses without their own offices, as well as a workspace for unemployed and freelance journalists without access to an office.

This support also helped to fund the development of a Media Owners Code of Ethics, to raise awareness among media owners, employers, and international non-government organisations of the obligation to pay Burmese media workers fair wages, and research on the current reporting environment and key issues including harassment, exploitation, work conditions, security, health and legal issues and living conditions of journalists in neighbouring

countries. This was followed by the production of fact sheets for exiled media workers, police security cards for journalists living on the Thai border, support for advocacy campaigns on wage theft and international, regional and local lobbying, and the employment of a coordinator to help organise these activities.

Starting from the end of July, MJN suspended its physical office due to the Thai authorities’ increased security checks in Thailand, that specifically targeted exiled Myanmar nationals.

MSSF is continuing to look at ways to continue to support the Myanmar Journalists Network in exile.

Gaza Journalists Appeal

Two appeals co-ordinated by the MSSF has raised more than $30,000 for members of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. The first appeal was launched in February 2024 to raise money for food and hygiene supplies for journalists and their families impacted by the Israeli bombardment and invasion of the region in retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attacks. The second appeal was in November 2024.

More journalists died in the first four months of this current conflict than the entire 10-year Vietnam War. Local journalists in Gaza continue to risk their lives at the frontlines of the story. Yet like much of the civilian population, they are battling starvation, lack of shelter, and shortages of food and water. Many journalists are living under canvas, shifting from tent to tent as the conflict engulfs more of Gaza, while others sleep in school buildings with thousands of other displaced people. They lack protective gear, and sometimes are unable to charge their phones or laptops or replace damaged equipment.

Every cent donated has been distributed through the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, the official affiliate of the IFJ, to provide material support for journalists in Gaza to continue to be able to do their jobs.

Emergency support

The MSSF has provided one-off emergency assistance to a number of journalists who fear for their safety as a direct result of their journalistic work.

Support for Afghan journalists

In 2022, MSSF aided Afghan women journalists who were forced to go into hiding or to flee the country after the Taliban takeover. In conjunction with Network of Women in Media, India and Associated Press (AP), a fundraiser entitled Journalists for Afghanistan, raised money by selling prints of AP photographers’ images of Afghanistan. MSSF distributed funds to 43 Afghan women journalists in Afghanistan, and Pakistan and Turkey where some had fled to safety.

MSSF also helped a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who had fled Afghanistan and who was on a temporary Crisis Visit Visa in New Zealand and unable to work. MSSF supplied two months’ rent while he awaited the processing of his application to move to the United States.

Image: Afghan children enjoy the view overlooking Kabul Image by Pulitzer Prize-winner Anja Niedringhaus who was killed in Afghanistan on April 4, 2014. Credit: AP and Journalists for Afghanistan fundraiser

Assistance to Ukrainian journalists

In 2022, MSSF supported two Ukrainian journalists who needed short-term assistance to get established in Australia following the Russian invasion of their country.

Support to TV journalists sacked in PNG

Also in 2022, MEAA via MSSF provided financial and other assistance to 25 TV journalists at EMTV in Papua New Guinea. On February 25, 2022, MEAA’s National Media Section committee condemned the termination of the journalists who walked off the job in support of a colleague, amid allegations EMTV had engaged in intimidation and political interference. The committee resolved: “MEAA stands in solidarity with the journalists.” MEAA called on EMTV executive management to reinstate the journalists on full pay and guarantee EMTV’s editorial independence.

The affected staff sought financial support from the MSSF to challenge their suspension and dismissal under sections of the PNG constitution which deal with media freedom and freedom of expression and under the Employment Act 1978 (Division 4A Written Contracts) and Employer clause (Breach of Contract). On March 25, 2022, MSSF agreed to make payments to support the affected staff, and to assist with legal fees.

Afghan Photojournalist

On May 12, 2022, MSSF agreed to support a Pulitzer Prize-winning Afghan photographer/journalist residing in Wellington, New Zealand, pending the outcome of his application for a Green Card to work in the US. The photographer had fled Afghanistan in 2022 and was in New Zealand on a Crisis Visit Visa which meant he could not work. He sought limited financial assistance for housing and health costs for a short time as he waited for the Americans to process his case. MSSF agreed to provide assistance through E tū, the New Zealand journalists’ union, which would also provide other forms of support for the photojournalist.

Burmese journalists in exile in Thailand

Since the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, independent journalism there has been forced underground. Journalists have been beaten and shot, at least 85 have been arrested, more than 40 detained and several jailed for up to three years. Independent media outlets have been stripped of their licences to operate, and dozens of warrants have been issued for the arrest of other journalists.
Burmese journalists are in hiding not only in Myanmar but elsewhere in the region, seeking safety from persecution and violence. However, Thailand has just sentenced three Burmese journalists to seven months jail and fined them for entering the country.
Despite all these risks, Burmese journalists courageously continue to work underground in Myanmar or Thailand to ensure the crimes of the military junta are revealed to the rest of the world.
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance is working with the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand to provide emergency financial support to exiled Burmese journalists working on the Thai-Burma border. Please help with a small donation through the Media Safety & Solidarity Fund.

Nepal children’s summer camp

The annual highlight of the Nepal Children’s Education Fund was a three-day summer camp. About 30 children are assisted through the program, which was established in 2010 to help the children of journalists who have been killed since the transition to democracy began in 2005. To date, this financial support has been $181,472 (including administration fees paid to the International Federation of Journalists).

Trauma and journalism training course in Nepal

In April and May 2015, Nepal was hit by a serious of devastating earthquakes that left 6,000 dead. The media in Nepal was forced to work in make-shift shelters. Through MSSF financial support given to the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), a three-day, trauma and journalism workshop was held to better equip journalists to report during and after natural disasters. Read the full story on the IFJ Asia-Pacific website.

Media Safety & Solidarity Fund, 2022-23 financial accounts

Account Name: MEAA Donations
BSB: 082-080
Account Number: 813138058

Make sure to refer to MSSF in your transfer.