Mass Media Defence Centre

This three-year grant of $300,000 to Mass Media Defense Center will support a project to strengthen the protection of media rights in the Russian Federation. The grantee, based in Voronezh (about 340 miles south of Moscow), is one of Russia’s leading non-profits specializing in media rights and freedom of expression. The project will provide legal support to journalists and media outlets via a network of 25 media lawyers throughout Russia’s regions. Litigation in selected cases in domestic courts will combat impunity for violations of the rights of journalists and media outlets. Where the domestic justice system fails, the project will take cases to the European Court of Human Rights.

To protect media rights in Russia (over three years).

In support of activities to protect media rights in Central Russia (over three years).

To monitor press freedoms in Russia and provide legal defense for journalists (over two years).