JOURNALISTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (JHR)-JOURNALISTES POUR LES DROITS HUMAINS (JDH)

Journalists for Human Rights (www.jhr.ca ) is Canada’s leading media development organization.

Founded by two 24-year-olds in 2002, JHR currently implements training programs across Africa, the MENA region and in Aboriginal communities in Canada.

Trainers work with journalists on a long-term basis, over periods of three, six or eight months, building their capacity to report ethically and effectively on human rights and governance issues in their communities.

These projects foster widespread human rights awareness in target countries, ensuring local populations are more aware of their rights, and that governments are more aware of citizens' concerns and needs, than would otherwise be the case.

By building a strong and independent media, JHR works to promote good governance, transparency, and human rights protection. When media puts a spotlight on human rights, people start talking about the issues and demanding change. And local governments respond with local solutions to local problems.

A story about an unstaffed medical clinic in Northern Ghana, for example, ensured medical staff was speedily dispatched to that region by Ghana Health Services.

A system-wide investigation project into poor service delivery in schools in Liberia led to the firing of that country's Education Minister for corruption.

A story on how the hearing impaired in the Democratic Republic of Congo were shut out of the elections process led to sign language interpretation being added to state newscasts and to polling booths.

And recently, new work enabling journalists to conduct speedy public opinion polls in Ghana forced the country's electricity commission to reduce a proposed electricity hike by 20%.

These are concrete changes that make a huge difference in the lives of the very poor. The goal is for a free, fair and objective independent media to become an effective referee between governments and citizens.

Since 2002, JHR has trained over 12,500 journalists whose stories have reached over 50 million people. JHR currently operates projects in Jordan, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and Northern Ontario.

A few numbers show just how powerful JHR’s work can be:

66% The number of elections promises that the government of Liberia acted on, thanks to a JHR-journalists-led data investigation tracking policy implementation country wide.

20% The amount by which the cost of electricity dropped after JHR and Voto Mobile asked Ghana’s citizens what they thought about a proposed electricity rate hike – and broadcast the response Ghana-wide.

49% The number of Ghanaians who reported in a JHR paying bribes to access basic health care – services that are supposed to be free.