<HTML dir=ltr><HEAD><TITLE>Organization to support legal defense for journalists formally launched</TITLE>
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<DIV dir=ltr>FYI</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>Best regards,</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>Anett </DIV></DIV>
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<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>Von:</B> seapabkk@aweber.com im Auftrag von SEAPA<BR><B>Gesendet:</B> Fr 13.11.2009 10:08<BR><B>An:</B> Anett Keller<BR><B>Betreff:</B> Organization to support legal defense for journalists formally launched<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
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<P><FONT size=2>Organization to support legal defense for journalists formally<BR>launched<BR>13 November 2009<BR><BR>The Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), a non-government<BR>organization that provides legal support to journalists and media<BR>outlets in the course of protecting their right to free expression,<BR>was formally launched last week.<BR><BR>The London-based MLDI will work "to strengthen media legal defense<BR>capacity around the world by supporting initiatives to enhance the<BR>legal knowledge, skills and effectiveness of those working in the<BR>field."<BR><BR>MLDI says it can provide support through:<BR><BR> * payment of legal fees<BR> * assistance in accessing free legal advice<BR> * taking on cases in international tribunals and supervisory<BR>bodies<BR> * support of independent observation of court proceedings<BR> * support of strategic litigation<BR> * providing of opportunities for training in media law and<BR>litigation and<BR> * support in the exchange of information and experience among<BR>media lawyers<BR><BR><BR>Even before its formal launch, the MLDI had already made its<BR>presence felt in Southeast Asia.<BR><BR>Coordinating with SEAPA and the Southeast Asia Media Legal Defense<BR>Network, the MLDI had provided support for defending defamation<BR>suits in Thailand and the Philippines. It also supported lawyer<BR>fees for the prosecution of suspects behind the murder of a<BR>journalist in the Philippines. MLDI and the SEA Media Legal Defense<BR>Network had also collaborated to provide trainings for lawyers, as<BR>well as trial observation missions, in Malaysia and Thailand.<BR><BR>Most recently, MLDI supported the Second Conference of Media<BR>Defense Lawyers in Southeast Asia, held last October in Cebu City.<BR><BR>MLDI's Executive Director, Gugulethu Moyo has long been involved in<BR>media and human rights issues, and has had more than 10 years of<BR>experience in a variety of senior not-for-profit and business<BR>sector positions.<BR><BR>To learn more about MLDI, please visit their website at<BR>www.mediadefence.org .<BR><BR>-------------------------------<BR>The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (<A href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=LBJq3&m=1c2g1oAzhTKXin&b=yASeeYlNEz7VTu3.c23bwg">http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=LBJq3&m=1c2g1oAzhTKXin&b=yASeeYlNEz7VTu3.c23bwg</A>) is a<BR>coalition of press freedom advocacy groups from Indonesia, the<BR>Philippines and Thailand. Established in November 1998, it is the<BR>only regional network with the specific mandate of promoting and<BR>protecting press freedom throughout Southeast Asia. SEAPA is<BR>composed of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (Indonesia),<BR>the Jakarta-based Institute for the Study of the Free Flow of<BR>Information (ISAI), the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and<BR>Responsibility, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism,<BR>and the Thai Journalists Association. SEAPA also has partners in<BR>Malaysia, Cambodia, East Timor, and exiled Burmese media, and<BR>undertakes projects and programs for press freedom throughout the<BR>region.<BR><BR>For inquiries, please contact us at: seapa@seapa.org, or call +662<BR>243 5579.<BR><BR>------------------------------------------------------------<BR>Southeast Asian Press Alliance.<BR>Bangkok Office: 3B, 3rd floor, Thakolsuk Place, No. 115 Terddumri Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300. Tel. (662)2435579 Fax.(662)2448749<BR><BR>To unsubscribe or change subscriber options visit:<BR><A href="http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?LIwcjIyMtCxMbExMDIxMtEa0rOxMTBzMbA==">http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?LIwcjIyMtCxMbExMDIxMtEa0rOxMTBzMbA==</A></FONT></P><FONT size=2></FONT></DIV>
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<P>Anett Keller<BR>Editor<BR><BR> TIMES MEDIA<BR> The Atlantic Times | The German Times | The Asia Pacific Times | The African Times<BR><BR> <A href="mailto:anett.keller@times-media.de">anett.keller@times-media.de</A><BR> http://www.times-media.de<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>