LONDON, 2 MAY 2022 – Today, on the eve of the World Press Freedom Day, the Justice for Journalists Foundation (Registered Charity no: 1201812) announces the winners of its 2023 Investigative Grant programme. Following the stringent selection process and with the support of its Expert and Advisory boards, the Trustees have chosen 16 winners who will share 340 thousand US dollars to fulfil projects in three priority thematic areas this year:
- Investigations into the crimes against journalists operating in conflict zones, hostile environments, and/or during protests.
This year, four organisations from China, Latvia, Pakistan, and Ukraine will receive our financial support to investigate abuse, harassment, and crime against media workers and the consequences of such attacks for their own physical and mental wellbeing and that of their loved ones.
- Proposals that help to raise awareness of and support campaigns against Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) as a tool to silence independent journalists both in the context of the UK and globally.
In 2023 we will continue to support the efforts of the UK-based NGOs and Charities, including the Index of Censorship, who work tirelessly to educate the UK public about the damage caused by the SLAPPs to the independent media in this country and campaign against them. We will also provide grants to respected organisations from Croatia, Georgia, Malta and Serbia to enable them to gather evidence about the extent of lawfare against the free media in these countries.
- Case studies and concept notes on the safety of journalists living and working in exile.
The last few years have been challenging for Belarussian, Central Asian, Russian and Turkish independent journalists forced into exile to avoid imprisonment or even death. Journalists from Iran, Myanmar and China have had many years of experience resisting totalitarianism and supplying their audiences with unbiased coverage. In 2023, we will support six applications by journalists and organisations to sum up their experiences of working in such circumstances.
While working through several dozens of applications received this year, the Justice for Journalists Foundation Trustees gave preference to the established media and NGOs with stringent reporting procedures and proven track record of successful projects, as well as ensured geographical diversity, gender balance and priority to underreported topics and locations.
With the aspiration to restore justice and promote freedom of expression, the Justice for Journalists Foundation issues grants to investigative journalists, both professional and non-professional (bloggers, social activists), media organisations, editorial offices, and NGOs willing to find the perpetrators and facilitators of crimes against media professionals. The Justice for Journalists Foundation is non-partisan and does not support any political agenda.