The overriding aim of the SEEMO Emergency Fund is to assist South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) in the creation of a climate in South East Europe (SEE), which is conducive to freedom of the press. Journalists, editors and media executives still face censorship, harassment, physical attacks, imprisonment and economic hardship. Many journalists in SEE continue to face severe difficulties and a number have suffered at the hands of the authorities and other groups within society. In order to support the media, i.e. the journalists, SEEMO has created the SEEMO Emergency Fund for Media and Journalists in South East Europe. Developed to ensure that help reaches those journalists, who are most in need, the SEEMO Emergency Fund for Media and Journalists in South East Europe can provide direct assistance within 48 hours. The fund may be used for a wide variety of situations, including: temporary accommodation in a foreign country, the payment of legal fees and the facilitation of equipment. Aside from addressing immediate financial concerns, the SEEMO Emergency Fund for Media and Journalists in South East Europe is also used to support small media projects within the SEE region. Often it takes months for the media to receive funding from a donor and, in recognition of this bureaucracy, SEEMO is prepared to act fast when there is a pressing need. The maximum amount that may be sought under the scheme is 10.000 Euro. Within the SEE region, the media often face difficulties over their investigative reporting. It is not uncommon for media outlets to come under considerable financial pressure after exposing corruption or revealing embarrassing government activities. This pressure may evidence itself in the form of an advertiser withdrawing its business or a bank refusing to provide credit. Where this occurs, SEEMO is prepared to use the SEEMO Emergency Fund in order to assist the media outlet. The SEEMO Emergency Fund is administered by the SEEMO secretariat, which will provide additional assistance on a case by case basis. Activities carried out by the secretariat include writing letters in support of journalists, publicising press freedom violations and undertaking press freedom missions in order to represent the views of the media to the authorities. Where there is a need for a number of organisations to carry out a mission, the SEEMO secretariat will liaise and coordinate between the different organisations. Donors financing the SEEMO Emergency Fund for Media and Journalists in South East Europe may decide in advance where SEEMO should provide assistance. This may be for a specific country, a specific media outlet / journalist, or a specific project. With the above in mind, please consider providing a donation to the SEEMO Emergency Fund for Media and Journalists in South East Europe, no matter how small. Sometimes a very small amount can help the independent media to survive.

Please send donations to: IPI - SEEMO Spiegelgasse 2/29 1010 Vienna Austria

For: SEEMO Emergency Fund for Media and Journalists in South East Europe

SEEMO Account: 6-07.025.984 (Euro)

IBAN: AT54 3200000607025984

Bank Code: 32000

BIC/SWIFT: RLNWATWW


Bank: Raiffeisenbank NÖ-Wien, Michaelerplatz 3,  A-1010 Vienna, Austria
 

 Please inform us, for which purpose your donation should be used!