For each case, LBH Pers effectively provided journalists with legal opinions and legal steps to be taken in light of their specific case. The request for help were referred to specialized lawyers, and benefited journalists were helped to submit their cases to court when necessary. This holistic approach provided the journalists with not only a legal but also a moral support.
Since 2021, UNESCO and LBH Pers have been collaborating to enhance media freedom and bolster journalists’ access to legal assistance and enhance their safety through the Global Media Defense Fund. This Fund was established within the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which marked its 10th Last year’s anniversary.
To date, the Global Media Defense Fund has supported over 100 projects around the globe and has directly benefited over 3,000 journalists, at least 600 lawyers and involving over hundred non-governmental organizations.
This project complements the UNESCO Judges’ Initiative, which celebrated its 10thth anniversary. 35,000 participants from over 160 countries engaged with the initiative over the last decade. This innovative program offers comprehensive and practical training to judicial actors on freedom of expression and the international standards governing it.