(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 19 September 2001 press release of the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the IPI: Vienna, 19 September 2001 SEEMO Creates New Emergency Fund to Support Journalists in South East Europe The overriding aim of the SEEMO Emergency Fund is to assist SEEMO in the creation […]
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 19 September 2001 press release of the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the IPI:
Vienna, 19 September 2001
SEEMO Creates New Emergency Fund to Support Journalists in South East Europe
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.
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 that 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 should provide assistance. This may be for a specific country, a specific media outlet or a specific project.
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
