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Press Freedom and Emergency Response Funds

Anna Politkovskaya, winner of the IPI World Press Freedom Hero Award.

Our Press Freedom and Emergency Response funds allow us to help journalists in developing countries in two significant ways: through career development and support opportunities, and to be able to respond quickly when press freedoms are threatened or under siege.These funds are financed chiefly through contributions from individuals, organisations and other patrons. Your support ensures that IPI can make a difference where it is most needed. Each contribution strengthens our ability to defend press freedom more effectively.

Press Freedom Fund

Donations help:

  • Cover membership fees for editors and leading journalists from developing countries.
  • Pay for editors and leading journalists from developing countries to attend important regional and international seminars, conferences and congresses.
  • Carry out research and fund information campaigns about press freedom violations.
  • Ensure the attendance of international legal experts at trials of fundamental importance to the cause of press freedom.
  • Cover the legal defence costs for charges brought by the state against editors and journalists, when the charges represent gross violations of their right to free expression.
  • Ensure the presence of international observers at trials against editors and journalists.
  • Organise Press Freedom Missions (interventions, petitions) to prevent legislation that limits press freedom.

The fund is supervised by a special committee of the IPI Board. Donors may name a specific recipient or country and/or type of media for their support.

Emergency Response Fund

Donations to this fund help us respond to urgent situations -- violations of press freedom occur, or when governments threaten to limit free expression. For example, IPI can utilise the skills and experience of media lawyers or editors to pressure governments or government officials.

How to donate

International Press Institute Press Freedom Fund/Emergency Response Fund:
Raiffeisenlandesbank NÖ-Wien AG
Michaelerplatz 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Account No.:  3-07.025.984
SWIFT/BIC Code: RLNWATWW
IBAN Code: AT19 3200 0003 07 025 984

How your donations help

In 2009, IPI was at the forefront of the international push to release jailed Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi in Iran, and two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were captured and held in North Korea.
IPI joined international missions in 2008 to press for more vigorous criminal investigations into violent attacks against journalists in Mexico, and to defend journalists’ rights in Sri Lanka
IPI monitored elections and election coverage in Nepal (2008), lobbied for the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston in Gaza (2007), and investigated the impact of Lebanon’s Cedar Revolution on press freedom (2006).
In 2002, IPI successfully pressed the Kenyan government to scrap restrictive amendments to the media law.
IPI provided bail for four unjustly jailed Ethiopian journalists. (2000)
The Press Freedom Fund, in conjunction with external donors, has covered costs for dozens of editors and reporters from developing countries to attend recent IPI World Congresses.