Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project

This initiative involves training, reporting, blogging, advocacy, monitoring and research, and encourages collaboration and input from all sides and groups to help improve political, economic, religious, social, and civil rights. The Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project is based on the conviction that supporting the media's efforts to improve reportage helps create an environment where journalists are able to do their work in defending human rights and democracy.

The use of information and communication technology (ICT) is central to this strategy. Specifically, through its interactive website, the Project commissions, publishes, and disseminates papers, analysis, research, and investigative stories and reports on human rights issues in the Philippines. The tools used to do so include calls for participation to generate original blogs, and print, audio, and video reports. Organisers welcome republication of all material: stories can be freely republished (with proper attribution). Through discussions, blogs, and comment forms provided on the website, organisers are attempting to create a venue that facilitates the involvement of, and the communication of ideas from, all who are concerned about these issues.

Organisers also plan and implement events and outreach activities, such as specialised training on human rights issues. For instance, a one-day training session on understanding and improving human rights reporting was held in Baguio City in Northern Luzon, in April 2008 that drew a group of 25 local editors, journalists, and media students. Follow-up sessions focusing on practical reporting ideas, responses, and basic international humanitarian law and human rights agreements were expected to be held in subsequent months as part of efforts to build a national human rights reporting association.

Human Rights.

IWPR explains that extra-judicial killings, disappearances, and abuses linked to Asia's insurgency and separatist movements "claim[s] victims on an almost daily basis". In addition, the organisation cites what it construes as ever-increasing allegations that the Philippines is now an effective police state, as well as ongoing questions about the fragility democratic checks and balances to ensure the rule of law.

Organisers claim that the project has received inquiries from various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), media groups, and the Philippine National Police Force on how to collaborate on building better human rights awareness and protection. Amongst the comments available for viewing on the project website is this one: "The human rights reporting project has awakened me as a young journalist to the significant role media can play."

IWPR is an international media network that works to build peace and democracy through free and fair media. In an effort to do so, IWPR works to establish networks and institutions, develop skills and professionalism, provide reporting, and build dialogue and debate.