Journalists for Human Rights (JHR)

Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), is an international media development non-governmental organization based in Toronto, Canada.

JHR was founded Benjamin Peterson and Alexandra Sicotte-Levesque in 2002.Davis, Nicholas, " [http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Columnists/Toronto/Nicholas_Davis/2004/11/01/695327.html Africa got under his skin] ," "Toronto Sun", November 1, 2004] Ben Peterson is currently JHR’s Executive Director. [ [http://www.jhr.ca/en/about_whoweare.php Journalists for Human Rights: Who we are] , accessed January 19, 2008]

Its mission "is dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of human rights reporting in the African media." [ [http://www.jhr.ca/en/about_mission.php JOURNALISTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS -- MISSION] , accessed January 19, 2008] JHR’s programs are split into two categories—its work in Africa and its work in North America.

In Africa, JHR claims to have worked in 14 countries, where it runs programs for local journalists aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of human rights reporting in the local media. JHR says that its programming helps reach over 20 million Africans a week, through its local media partners (radio, print and TV) with human rights information they wouldn’t have received otherwise."Stephens, Lisa, [http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070507.wPetersonTOP40-0508/BNStory/Business/home "Benjamin Peterson, 29 Ontario Co-founder, executive director, Journalists for Human Rights, Toronto"] , "Report on Business Magazine", May 7, 2007] In theory, this helps to increase public awareness and debate about human rights issues, empowering victims to fight back. It also creates a climate where human rights abusers are less likely to get away with their crimes. JHR has offices in Accra (Ghana), Freetown (Sierra Leone) and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo).Kelly, Deidre, "For society, Africa is the cause du jour; Local philanthropists are developing a global perspective, Deirdre Kelly writes," "Globe and Mail", October 12, 2007]

In North America, JHR has chapters at universities across Canada and a few in the United States. These chapters aim to engage students in the importance of human rights reporting, and to encourage them to spread awareness on campus about rights issues through various forms of media. In Canada, JHR has 25 chapters at universities that include the University of Toronto, Queen’s University and McGill University. [http://www.jhr.ca/en/ JHR website] , accessed January 19, 2008] JHR claims that over 20% of Canada’s journalism students are involved in one way or another with JHR’s Chapter program. JHR is now working to expanding this program in the US. Chapters there include Southern Methodist University and the University of Washington.

JHR has received media attention in Canada, including from "The Globe and Mail", "The Toronto Star" and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. This coverage has been largely focused on its work in Ghana and on Executive Director Ben Peterson.

JHR claims that it is the largest media development organization in Canada.

References

External links

* [http://www.jhr.ca Journalists for Human Rights]
* [http://www.cordweekly.com/cordweekly/myweb.php?hls=10034&news_id=1138 The sound of silence: Laurier-Waterloo chapter of Journalists for Human Rights raises awareness for social injustice] by Michelle Caldaroni, "The Cord Weekly", Nov 7, 2007
* [http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Columnists/Toronto/Nicholas_Davis/2004/11/01/695327.html Africa got under his skin] ," by Nicholas Davis, "Toronto Sun", November 1, 2004
* [http://www.vergemagazine.ca/articles/04winter/jhr.html All the news that's fit to print: Changing the face of human rights reporting in Ghana]
* [http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/article.php3?id_article=845 JHR Partners with UNDEF] , Friday 20 October 2006.