An important part of Media Development is working to improve the legal environment for media. As explained by American non-profit the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA):
Legal assistance plays a pivotal role in creating the environment necessary for independent media. Despite its importance, the legal-enabling environment has not received enough attention. Regulatory reform, the decriminalization of libel and other onerous laws, passage and enforcement of freedom of information laws, and punishment of those who attack journalists are among the key measures needed to protect and nurture independent media. Also important are training programs for judges and legislators on the importance of protecting the media.[i]
While CIMA, and many others, conclude that too little is invested in this key area, a number of international and national advocacy organisations are devoted to conducting research, advocacy, training and programming on some of these issues. For example, the UK-based non-profit organization Article 19 campaigns worldwide for freedom of expression. An important part of Article 19’s work is providing in-depth legal analysis of domestic, regional and international legislation that impact media freedom, including as it relates to elections. In 2011, for example, Article 19 carried out an extensive review of the draft Electoral Code of the Ukraine from a media perspective, providing recommendations to the government and stakeholders.[ii] At a domestic level, media peak bodies, human rights organisations, and others also carry out legal analysis to promote positive regulatory reform for media activity.
Meanwhile, achievement toward the implementation of freedom of expression is measured annually by organisations like Reporters Without Borders (also known as Reporters san Frontieres - RSF) and Freedom House. Each of these organizations provides press freedom indices to assist international, regional and domestic organisations in understanding and advocating for press freedom. In addition, the international organization Committee to Protect Journalists tracks and exposes attacks on journalists, in addition to providing direct support to journalists under threat. Advocacy is carried out by journalist organisations at the domestic level, such as the Uganda Journalists Association, the Hong Kong News Executives Association, and similar bodies worldwide. Non-government organisations (NGOs) working in a wide range of sectors also work to promote freedom of expression.
[i] David E. Kaplan, Empowering Independent Media, U.S. Efforts to Foster Free and Independent News Around the World. Inaugural Report: 2008, (a product of the Center for International Media Assistance) ed. Marguerite H. Sullivan, (Washington DC: National Endowment for Democracy, 2008),7
[ii] Memorandum on the Draft Election Code of Ukraine (London: ARTICLE 19, 2011) http://www.article19.org/data/files/pdfs/reports/memorandum-on-the-draft-election-code-of-ukraine.pdf
