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Reporters Without Borders, or '''RWB''' (, , or '''RSF''', or '''ROG''') is a Paris-based international '', 6 November 2006 PRESS FREEDOM RWB was founded in Montpellier in 1985. At first, the association was aimed at promoting Alternative Journalism , but before the failure of their project, the three founders stumbled on disagreements between themselves . Finally, only Robert Ménard stayed and became its Secretary General. Ménard changed the NGO's aim towards freedom of press . Reporters Without Borders states that it draws its inspiration from Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration Of Human Rights , according to which everyone has "the right to freedom of opinion and expression" and also the right to "seek, receive and impart" information and ideas "regardless of frontiers." This has been re-affirmed by several charters and declarations around the world. In Europe, this right is included in the 1950 Convention For The Protection Of Human Rights And Fundamental Freedoms . Reporters Without Borders is a founding member of the International Freedom Of Expression Exchange , a virtual network of non-governmental organisations that monitors free expression violations worldwide and defends journalists, writers and others who are persecuted for exercising their right to Freedom Of Expression . In 2005, Reporters Without Borders shared the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought with Nigerian human rights lawyer Hauwa Ibrahim and Cuba's Ladies In White movement.European Parliament. Ladies, Ibrahim and Reporters joint Sakharov prize winners Over the years, RWB has published several books to raise public awareness of threats to press freedom around the world. A recent publication is the . The handbook provides technical tips on how to Blog anonymously and avoid Censorship . It includes contributions from renowned blogger-journalists Dan Gillmor , Jay Rosen and Ethan Zuckerman . FUNDING Some funding (19% of total) comes from '', 11 June 2005 ). Daniel Junqua, the vice-president of the French section of RWB (and also vice-president of the NGO ''Les Amis du '', August 2007 CONTROVERSY AND CAMPAIGNS Robert Ménard interview In an interview to '', 26 August 2007 Cuba Tensions between Cuban authorities and RWB are high, particularly after the imprisonment in 2003 of 75 dissidents (27 journalists) by the Cuban Government, including ''. Reporters Without Borders ordered to pay 6,000 euros to Korda’s heir over use of Che photo , RSF, March 10, 2004 Lucie Morillon, RWB's Washington representative, confirmed in an interview on 29 April , 2005 that the organization receives money from the Washington-based Center For A Free Cuba ($50,000 in 2004), and that a contract with the US State Department's Special Envoy to the Western Hemisphere, Otto Reich , requires them to inform Europeans about repression against journalists in Cuba. However, the organisation has denied that its campaigning on the issue of Cuba - in declarations on radio and television, full-page ads in Parisian dailies, posters, leafletting at airports, and an April 2003 occupation of the Cuban tourism office in Paris - were related to the payments. CounterPunch Reporters Without Borders Unmasked 1.3% of total funding come from this source.Reporters Without Borders Income and expenditure A Paris court ('', 9 July 2003 RWB claims it has been the target of hostility from the Cuban authorities since the arrest of 75 dissidents in March 2003. Cuba’s representatives have called for the withdrawal of its consultative status with the United Nations. RWB lost its UN approved NGO status for one year in July 2003 at the request of Cuba and Libya, as a result of protests against Libya receiving the chairmanship of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva, during the commitee's opening session. Reporters Without Borders suspended for one year from UN commission on human rights , ''Reporters Without Borders'', 24 July 2003 (URL accessed on 9 August 2007) Haiti The online newsletter CounterPunch criticised RWB's reporting of press freedom in Haiti during and after Jean-Bertrand Aristide 's presidency, arguing that it is biased. CounterPunch . Reporters Without Borders and Washington's Coups Venezuela '', Robert Ménard declared that RWB had also condemned the support of RCTV to the coup attempt. Philippines On August 23, 2007, RWB condemned the continuing threats and violence against Philippine radio commentators who report on organized crime and corruption, following a death threat on RGMA Palawan station manager Lily Uy.[http://www.gmanews.tv/story/57296/Intl-groups-slam-attacks-against-broadcasters GMA NEWS.TV, Int'l groups slam attacks against broadcasters] WORLDWIDE PRESS FREEDOM INDEX RWB compiles and publishes an annual ranking of countries based upon the organization's assessment of their press freedom records. Small countries, such as Malta , and Andorra , are excluded from this report. The 2006 list was published on 24 October 2006. The report is based on a questionnaire sent to partner organisations of Reporters Without Borders (14 freedom of expression groups in five continents) and its 130 correspondents around the world, as well as to journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists.Reporters Without Borders. How the index was compiled The survey asks questions about direct attacks on journalists and the media as well as other indirect sources of pressure against the free press. RWB is careful to note that the index only deals with press freedom, and does not measure the quality of journalism. Due to the nature of the survey's methodology based on individual perceptions, there are often wide contrasts in a country's ranking from year to year. The ranking also states it takes into account pressure on journalists by non-governmental groups, for example the Basque terrorist group ETA in Spain or the Mafia in Russia, can pose serious threats to press freedom. A higher index indicates more restraints on freedom of the press. REFERENCES SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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