[CivilSoc] SEEMO Creates Fund to Support Journalists in South East Europe

[Center for Civil Society International]

From: seemo <seemo@freemedia.at>
SEEMO Press Release			Vienna, 19 September 2001
SEEMO Creates New Fund to Support Journalists in South East Europe
Many journalists in South East Europe (SEE) continue to face severe
difficulties and a number have suffered at the hands of the
authorities and other groups within society. In order to support the
media (journalists), the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
has created the SEEMO Emergency Fund.
Developed to ensure that help reaches those journalists most in need,
the SEEMO Emergency Fund can provide direct assistance within 48
hours. The fund may be used for a wide variety of situations,
including: temporary accommodation in a foreign country, the payment
of legal fees and the facilitation of equipment.
Aside from addressing immediate financial concerns, the SEEMO
Emergency Fund may also be used to support small media projects
within the SEE region. Often it takes months for the media to receive
funding from a donor and, in recognition of this bureaucracy, SEEMO
is prepared to act fast when there is a pressing need. The maximum
amount that may be sought under the scheme is 15,000 Euro.
Within the SEE region, the media often face difficulties over their
investigative reporting. It is not uncommon for media outlets to come
under considerable financial pressure after exposing corruption or
revealing embarrassing government activities. This pressure may
evidence itself in the form of an advertiser withdrawing its business
or a bank refusing to provide credit. Where this occurs, SEEMO is
prepared to use the SEEMO Emergency Fund in order to assist the media
outlet.
The SEEMO Emergency Fund is administered by the SEEMO secretariat who
will provide additional assistance on a case by case basis.
Activities carried out by the secretariat include writing letters in
support of journalists, publicising press freedom violations and
undertaking press freedom missions in order to represent the views of
the media to the authorities. Where there is a need for a number of
organisations to carry out a mission, the SEEMO secretariat will
liaise and coordinate between the different organisations.
Donors financing the SEEMO Emergency Fund may decide in advance where
SEEMO is to provide assistance. This may be for a specific country, a
specific media outlet or a specific project.
The overriding aim of the SEEMO Emergency Fund is to assist SEEMO in
the creation of a climate in the SEE region which is conducive to
freedom of the press. A region where governments hesitate to coerce
the press and important media projects receive the funding they
deserve.
With the above in mind, please consider providing a donation to the
SEEMO Emergency Fund, no matter how small. Sometimes a very small
amount can help the independent media to survive.
Please send donations to:
Customer: IPI - SEEMO, Spiegelgasse 2/29, 1010 Vienna, Austria
For / Verwendungszweck: SEEMO Emergency Fund
Bank: Raiffeisenbank Vienna
Bank code (Bankleitzahl): 32000
Bank swift: RLNW AT WW
Account no: 7.025.984 (EURO)
Details:
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
SEEMO-IPI Spiegelgasse 2/29
A-1010 Vienna
Austria
Tel:  + 43 1 513 39 40, Fax: + 43 1 512 90 15
E-mail: seemo@freemedia.at
http://www.freemedia.at/seemo