As much as social media can be a blessing for activists, it can also be their undoing. For a recent example, see how the Tunisian authorities compromised activists’ Facebook accounts.

Access Now, an NGO that campaigns for digital freedom, has just launched a handy and concise how-to guide for activists online. It has «tips and tools for reducing surveillance and monitoring, protecting privacy, and dealing with censorship.»

Even if you’re not an activist, the guide has lots of invaluable online security advice about using HTTPS with email and social networking sites, making smarter passwords, and safely and securely using proxies and anonymizing tools.

The guide is available in English and Arabic, but Brett Solomon, the executive director of Access Now, tells me they’ve had offers to translate it into 10 languages since they launched — «everywhere from Tibetan to Russian to Serbian.»

http://www.rferl.org/content/how_to_stay_safe_online/3544056.html

Make a Lasting, Visible Impact on Media and Society

The Knight International Journalism Fellowship program helps to create news outlets and programming, training centers and schools, and innovative resources to improve the quality and free flow of news in the public interest around the world. Send us your ideas for a fellowship project. If your idea is selected, we will recruit and support a journalist or media manager to work on a fellowship project for at least a year. Or send in a proposal for a project you would like to run as a Knight fellow. For more information about the program’s criteria, please click here: http://knight.icfj.org/GetInvolved/ProjectCriteria/tabid/826/Default.aspx

1. What is the primary goal of the Knight International Journalism Fellowships?

Knight International Journalism Fellows work with local partner organizations to make lasting, visible changes that improve the quality and free flow of news in the public interest around the world.

Fellows have established media training centers, journalism associations, academic programs, citizen journalism networks, and units of investigative reporters. They have created mobile news services and online databases to track corruption. They have developed topical journalism manuals and curricula in more than a dozen languages. With the help of our fellows, local journalists have improved environmental, business and health coverage, and uncovered corruption and mismanagement, improving living conditions in their societies. Each project is designed to ensure that the impacts and achievements last beyond the fellowship.

2. Where do fellows work?

We work in Latin America/Caribbean, Central Europe/Eurasia, Asia/Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. We target countries where there is great opportunity to make a lasting impact. Examples of opportunities for fellowship projects:

•New leadership or improved media laws have opened a window for better journalism
•An end to conflict has enabled the growth of independent media
•Digital tools have created new ways for citizens to become active participants in their societies
3. What do fellows do?

Fellows help media organizations launch new content on the most-urgent issues of our time, from climate change to democratic reform to life-threatening diseases. Media working with Knight fellows have developed voters’ guides before elections in Cambodia and Ghana, news programming for a newly privatized radio station in post-conflict Rwanda, ongoing television programs on social issues in Lebanon and Jordan, and a television news agency staffed by women in Bangladesh.

Knight fellows have used internet and mobile phone innovations in Bolivia, India, Malaysia and Tanzania to improve the flow of information from under served areas to major media that influence policy makers.

Their projects must produce lasting, visible change.

See a list of our current projects by topic.

4. Can I propose a fellowship?

We welcome fellowship proposals at any time. To propose a project, submit a fellowship proposal. Candidates who wish to propose a project and become a Knight International Journalism Fellow should submit a proposal and a fellowship application.

5. What types of proposals will you consider?

Successful proposals will outline a very specific idea and the lasting, visible results that will be achieved at the end of the fellowship. Examples.

We are not likely to approve proposals that are simply about to training journalists or teaching students. We also are not likely to approve proposals that require substantial amounts of funding to achieve objectives.

6. How can I propose a project?

Submit a fellowship proposal.

7. How can I become a fellow?

•Apply for a current fellowship opening posted on our website
•Submit a fellowship proposal and a fellowship application.
8. What are the requirements to become a fellow?

Fellows should meet these requirements:

•Strong leadership qualities
•Entrepreneurship; ability to identify opportunities that produce results
•Fluency in the language of the country
•Demonstrated knowledge of fellowship focus
•Minimum of 10 years of journalism, multimedia technology and/or media management experience
9. Can I use this fellowship to fund my education or give me the skills I need to advance my career?

This fellowship builds the capacity of media in the host country or region. It cannot be used to fund the education or development of the fellow.

10. Is there a deadline for application submissions?

Applications are accepted throughout the year unless otherwise specified in specific fellowship openings. To see current openings, click here.

11. What is the selection process?

Fellowship applications and proposals are evaluated on a rolling basis. Finalists may be invited to ICFJ’s office in Washington, D.C., for interviews. If that is not feasible, they will be interviewed by ICFJ’s regional representatives or by phone. Our regional and at-large advisory committees help us to develop good projects and recruit and select top fellows.

Fellows selected for the program attend a week-long orientation program in Washington, D.C. The orientation program takes place twice a year.

12. How long does the fellowship last?

Fellowships last at least one year. Fellowships can be extended at the discretion of ICFJ’s Knight International staff.

13. What does the fellowship cover (financial, health, and benefits)?

During the fellowship, each fellow receives an allowance for transportation, professional and living expenses, and an honorarium. Fellows also receive an allowance for health-insurance coverage in their home countries and emergency coverage if they are working outside their home country. Fellows receive two weeks of paid vacation per year.

14. Can fellows work on other projects or continue to work as journalists during their fellowships?

Fellows work full-time on their projects. Since they are considered business consultants, they may not work as journalists during the fellowship.

15. For applicants whose native language is not English: Do I need to translate everything I send in, including my work samples?

Applications, CVs and resumes should be in English. Relevant work samples or supporting material for project proposals may be in the applicant’s native language.

If you have additional questions, please contact Program Officer Pedro J. Rodriguez at prodriguez@icfj.org or 1-202-349-7638.

http://ijnet.org/node/91662

This summer, the 2011 European Journalism Institute (EJI) organized by The Fund for American Studies will take place in Prague, Czech Republic from July 9 — July 17. As an important resource for current and future journalists, we ask that you to help us recruit outstanding participants for this summer’s Institute.

For the 8th summer, this Institute will bring together working journalists and journalism students from around the world for a one-week workshop that revisits and expands upon the fundamental skills of visual and written information gathering for young journalists and those interested in developing basic journalism skills. The intensive seven day program consists of seminars, lectures, and discussions about journalism by both theorists and practitioners from both the United States and Europe.

If you know working journalists or journalism students who may be interested in EJI, I encourage you to forward them this email. They can also visit our website or contact Brigit Moore by email at bmoore@tfas.org or by phone at (202) 986-0384. To begin an online application, interested individuals should go here: https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=tfas-int.

THE FINAL ADMISSIONS DEADLINE FOR EJI IS APRIL 15, 2011

http://ijnet.org/node/92186

A report released by an agency of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) calls for greater cooperation among countries in the global South and says poor governance structures threaten quality investigative journalism in the region.

Titled Investigative Journalism: Issues for a South-South Debate, the document was recently published by website Mercado Ético/Ethical Markets and the UNDP International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth .

The report was based on the 2010 International Workshop on Investigative Journalism: A South-South Dialogue, which gathered journalists, experts, academics, opinion makers and representatives of the United Nations and civil society from South Africa, Brazil, India, Mexico, Switzerland, and Qatar.

Without governments that ensure the safety and freedom of journalists, various forms of censorship — political, financial, economic and geographic — prevail, along with market pressure and corruption. Together, these forces frequently prevent journalists from effectively reporting on their societies.

One example is the case of journalist Sanjuana Martinez, who wrote three books on pedophilia in the Catholic Church in Mexico. Martinez suffered threats, lost her job and spent years unable to publish her story because of pressure from the local church. “When I did the first series of interviews, there were no problems, but after when I tried to continue the story, I could not anymore,” she explained.

Frequently, funds are the main barrier. “Investigative journalism is expensive, time-consuming and often does not generate anything to be published,” said Maurício Hashizume of NGO Repórter Brasil, who has covered slave labor in Brazil.

When the pressure to make money prevails, democracy suffers, said Abderrahim Foukara, Al Jazeera Washington bureau chief.

“We are under so much pressure to ‘feed the beasts’ 24 hours a day that we lost the necessary tools to reflect on what we reported and its consequences.» He cites poor reporting on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The media failed to question their existence, legitimizing the invasion. “We are more concerned with generating revenue than producing information for the people,» he concluded.

The report urges investigative reporters and institutions from different countries to work together.

“The South-South exchanges must go beyond the markets. We have a heavy flow of business and flow of little experiences of civil society and media,” Hashizume added, pointing that obstacles could be overcome with strategic international partnerships and financial and logistical support of multilateral organizations.

The pedophilia story in Mexico would have benefited from such international cooperation. As Martinez recounted, a cardinal sexually abused more than 100 children in Mexico and the U.S., only to move to another country when he was accused of the crimes. For Martinez, it would have been crucial to continue the investigation in the other country.

Barriers to investigative journalism also hamper economic growth, a main concern for the Southern Hemisphere.

“There is a clear link between journalism and democracy and also between journalism and development,” said Patrice Schneider of the Media Development Loan Fund.

To read the report in PDF format (in English or Portuguese), click here.

A version of this article first appeared in IJNet’s Portuguese edition.

http://ijnet.org/blog/un-report-calls-cooperation-investigative-journalism-crucial

Deadline:01/06/11
One Minutes Foundation

Aspiring journalists between 12 and 21 years old can enter a video competition.

The One Minutes Junior Competition, organized by The One Minutes Foundation with the support of UNICEF, is a video competition for 60-second videos.

Young filmmakers can submit a film, music video, short documentary or animation. There are three categories: a self-introduction, a video on belonging or being left out and an open video on any topic.

To view videos submitted so far, click here.

The winner of each category will receive a JVC digital video camera. For more information, click here: http://www.theoneminutesjr.org/?thisarticle=43

http://www.theoneminutesjr.org/?thisarticle=43

Deadline:15/04/11
Internationale Journalisten-Programme

Journalists age 25-35 from new independent states (NIS/CIS) who speak German fluently are invited to apply for an internship.

Five journalists will be selected by the International Journalists’ Programs. The fellowship is named in honor of the Marion Gräfin Dönhoff, the publisher of Die Zeit for many years.

The program is aimed to help young journalists to learn more about politics, economy and culture of Germany and to increase their understanding of the standards of German journalism. Applicants must speak fluent German.

For more information (in Russian), click here: http://www.ijp.org/doenhoff.html?ulzrqrvhhevydve&L=4

http://www.ijp.org/doenhoff.html?ulzrqrvhhevydve&L=4

Amnesty International and the Bureau of Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Tajikistan are concerned by allegations regarding the death of 37-year-old Safarali Sangov in custody on 5 March, four days after his arrest on 1 March in Dushanbe. The organizations urge the Tajikistani government to conduct an effective investigation into allegations of torture without delay.

According to Safarali Sangov’s wife, at around noon on 1 March, several men in plain clothes burst into the yard of the family’s home and started to beat Safarali Sangov. Reportedly, without presenting a search or arrest warrant, the men searched Safarali Sangov’s body. His wife reported that despite nothing being found on him, Safarali Sangov was handcuffed, forced into a car and taken away. No reason was given for his detention. Other family members, who had witnessed the violence, were also reportedly beaten, including children and a women who was four months’ pregnant. Some neighbours and merchants, who work in a shop near their house, reportedly saw the beatings.

The family was later told by police sources that the men arresting Safarali Sangov were officers of Sino district police station (OVD), and that he was first taken to Sino district police station and later to the National Medical Centre “Karabolo“ hospital in Dushanbe.

When Safarali Sangov’s relatives went to the hospital that afternoon they found out that he was in a coma in the intensive care ward. They overheard a conversation of medical personnel about his many fractures, including to his spine, hip and nose. One doctor reportedly mentioned a drug overdose; however, a subsequent analysis of his blood reportedly found no drugs.

Safarali Sangov’s wife also reported that — while at the hospital on 1 March — she and a relative overheard a conversation between police officers whom they recognized as some of those involved in the beating during the arrest. The officers reportedly talked about the blows they had dealt Safarali Sangov. When his wife approached the police officers, stating “he is lying there and you are joking about it”, a policeman reportedly replied: “Don’t shout because we can beat you”.

On 5 March, when Safarali Sangov’s family arrived at the hospital, they were informed by medical personnel that he had died that morning. The family wanted to see his body but police officers, who were present, reportedly closed the entrance to the intensive care ward and used another exit to remove Safarali Sangov’s body and transport it to the morgue.

Later the same day, Safarali Sangov’s body was handed over to his family, who buried him at the Ispechak cemetery in Dushanbe.

On 11 March, Safarali Sangov’s wife received a form, issued by the Centre of Forensic Medical Examinations of the Ministry of Health the same day, registering the cause of death as brain damage. This result was based on a forensic medical examination conducted at the morgue. To date the family has not seen the full report of the forensic medical examination.

The Prosecutor General reportedly told Safarali Sangov’s wife on 12 March that a criminal case had been opened to investigate the death of her husband. However, according to her, to date none of the witnesses present during his arrest on 1 March have been summoned.

Mahmadullo Asadulloev, head of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, was reported by the Tajik Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Radio Ozodi) on 6 March as saying that “during the search [Safarali Sangov] wanted to commit suicide, that’s what led to the multiple wounds on the body of the deceased.“ In an interview with the news agency Asia Plus on 7 March he specified that Safarali Sangov allegedly jumped off the second floor of the police station.

According to Mahmadullo Asadulloev, Safarali Sangov was detained for drug-related crime, but the accusations remain unclear. On 5 March, the Tajik news agency, Asia Plus, reported Mahmadullo Asadulloev as saying that Safarali Sangov was detained in possession of 500g of hashish whereas on 6 March Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported that police had confiscated 41 kg of hashish from him, also citing Mahmadullo Asadulloev.

Amnesty International and the Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law are concerned about allegations that Safarali Sangov died as a result of torture and ill-treatment by Sino district police and that witnesses present during his arrest on 1 March were beaten.

The organizations urge the authorities to conduct an immediate, thorough, impartial and independent investigation into these allegations, to ensure that the results are made public and that those suspected of being responsible are brought to justice, in line with Tajikistan’s obligations as a party to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Pending these investigations, officials suspected of having committed torture or ill-treatment should be suspended from active duty in line with Tajikistan’s human rights obligations.

The organizations also call on the authorities to act in line with their obligations under Article 14 of the Convention, which stipulates that “n the event of the death of the victim as a result of an act of torture, his dependants shall be entitled to compensation.“

In addition, the organizations urge the authorities to act in line with their obligation under Article 9(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which stipulates that “[a]nyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons of his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him.”

In Tajikistan impunity persists for perpetrators of torture or other ill-treatment. There are reports that lawyers, human rights activists and journalists risk reprisals when raising torture allegations, and that victims are usually reluctant to issue complaints about abuse by law enforcement officers as this would make them more vulnerable to further abuse, including trumped up charges against them in criminal cases.
ENDS/

Public Document
International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK www.amnesty.org

Amnesty International & Tajik Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law