1

ARTICLE19’sPOLICYPLAN

THEEXPRESSIONAGENDA

2

Table of Contents

Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................2

A. ARTICLE19-LEADINGORGANISATIONONFREEDOMOFEXPRESSION.......................................3

B. THEEXPRESSIONAGENDA(XpA)-DEFENDINGFoEAROUNDTHEWORLD.................................4

Geographicscopeandapproachofourwork..................................................................................10

ARTICLE19workandobjectivesinEuropeandCentralAsia...........................................................11

C. ARTICLE19’SBACKGROUNDANDAUDIENCE.............................................................................13

SuccessStories-whatARTICLE19hasachievedsofar....................................................................14

D. FUNDRAISINGSTRATEGY............................................................................................................19

E. FINANCIALSITUATION................................................................................................................20

F. GOVERNANCEANDMANAGEMENTSTRUCTURE.......................................................................21

3

A. ARTICLE19-LEADINGORGANISATIONONFREEDOMOFEXPRESSION

Established in1987,ARTICLE19defends freedomofexpression (FoE)andtheright to information(RtI) all over the world, fighting against censorship, defending dissenting voices and advocatingagainstlawandpracticesthatsilence.ARTICLE19’smission istopromoteanddefendfreedomofexpressionandinformationasessentialhuman rights, so that people everywhere can express themselves freely, access information andenjoyfreedomofthemediabothonlineandofflineWeenvisionaworldwhereALLpeoplecanspeakfreely,activelyparticipateinpubliclifeandenjoymedia freedom without fear,censorshiporpersecution.Welookatthe fundamental underlying issues –direct and indirect – and differentpatterns of exclusion- ethnicity, age,education,sexandgender-thataffectfreedom of expression. To addressthe complexity of those underlyingissuesARTICLE19’sTheoryofChangeis based on three interlinked pillarswhich aim to balance the unequalpowerdynamicscreatedbytheriseofauthoritarian social models andpolitical ideas that restrict people’srights and freedoms: a) Strong lawsand policies are the foundation forrealising the rights of all to expressthemselves freely, and to seek,receive and impart information; b)Accountability and transparency ofpower-holders is key for therealisation of human rights andsustainable development; c) Activeand empowered civil society isessential for using expression andinformation rights to pursue dignity,equality, good governance andsustainabledevelopment.Ourworkis,therefore,drivenbytheconvictionthatfreedomofexpressionandtherighttoknowlieattheheartofdemocracy,humanrightsanddevelopmentasgoodgovernanceandthefightagainstpoverty are largely dependent on the growth of an informed citizenry demanding their rights,influencingdecisions,promptingaccountabilityandchallengingcorruptionandabuses.Theglobal realisationofourvisionandmission isunderpinnednotonlyby freedomofexpressionand information, but through other rights inextricably linked to them- including belief, privacy,participation,assemblyandassociation-andtheprincipleofuniversalityofhumanrights.With regionalandprojectofficesaroundtheworld,ARTICLE19combines30yearsofexperienceinglobal policy making with vital support to national processes of good governance and reforms,

4

whichplacetheorganisationclosertotheon-the-groundbattlestoprotectfreedomofexpressionand information.Webelieve that themosteffectiveway topromoteand implement institutional,cultural and legal change is to work both at international and national level, leveraging localexperienceandknowledgetoinformstandardsettinginkeyinternational/regionaldecision-makingforaandprocessesandtoholdstatesaccountable,whileensuringthatprogressatgloballevelhaverelevancetocreateenablingenvironmentsfortheexerciseofexpressionrightsatnationallevel.

B. THEEXPRESSIONAGENDA(XpA)-DEFENDINGFoEAROUNDTHEWORLD

Expression,whetherintheformofavoice,apenorakeyboard,isoneofthemostpowerfultoolswe have to achieve individual freedoms, develop democracy and tackle the underlying causes ofpoverty. Butmany of thosewho hold power around theworldwant to deny people freedom ofexpressionandtherighttoinformationthataccompaniesit.Ourambitiousglobalstrategy-TheExpressionAgenda(XpA)- isdesignedtochallengethis,helpingtoensurethatARTICLE19is“thevoiceintheroom”-inaprisoncell,anationalcourt,onlineoratthe United Nations, ready to defend two vital freedoms. The Freedom to Speak, to voice youropinionswhatever they are and to challenge thosewho hold power. The Freedom to Know; theright to demand and receive information from decisionmakers and to act onwhat you discover,whethershowingdissent,protestingororganisingcollectiveaction.ARTICLE19’sExpressionAgenda(XpA)providesalong-termandrobustresponsetotherisingtideofthreats to freedomofexpressionand informationandmedia freedom. Weworktoprotectspacefor socialmovements, define legal standards for the digital era, ensure independent and diversemediacanoperateandcallforgreatertransparencyandaccountabilitybypower-holders.Inordertoachieveourgoal,theXpAdetailskeyareasofimpactgatheredinfivestrategicthemes.THEMEONE–protectingandpromotingcivicspaceWhychangeisessential.Peopleshouldhavetherighttodemocraticparticipation,opendebateandprotestwhethertheygatherinatownsquareoronline.Anempoweredcivilsocietyrepresentsandfosters pluralism, diversity, openness, can contribute to more effective policies, equitable andsustainabledevelopmentandplayavitalrolefosteringdemocracy,peaceandinconflictresolution.Civilsocietyactorsplayaparticularroleasadvocatesandopinionformersforindividualsandgroupsinademocracy,representinganddefendingvulnerableandsociallyexcludedgroupsaswellaswellasfulfillinganimportantscrutinisingfunction.Finally, countries inwhich civil society is given space to operate also tend to be countrieswherecorruptionislowerandwheretheprinciplesoftheruleoflawareaffordedgreaterrespect.Howwewillfocusourwork.ARTICLE19willworktowardsthepromotion,protectionandexpansionofcivicspace,providinglegal,policyandpracticalmeasuresandassistancetoprotecttherightsofindividualsandorganisationstopubliclyparticipate,protestanddissent.Wewillfocusonprotectinghumanrights inthecontextofpeacefulprotest,assemblyandpublicparticipationbothonlineandoffline,particularlyforgroupsunderattackbytherisingtideofnationalistgovernments.OurGlobal Impact.Theright topubliclyparticipate indecision-making,engage inopendebate, tocriticise,protestanddissent,inphysicalandonlinespace,iswidelyrecognisedinlegislation,policy,and practice, whilst the environment for civic discourse is robust and diverse, and activelyencouragesthevoicesofthemarginalized.

5

Approachandmethodology-prioritisedactivities❏ ARTICLE 19 will expand ourmonitoring and reporting of violations during protests across

additionalARTICLE19offices,drawingincreasingattentiontothiscriticalissueattheUNandregionalbodies.Wewilldeployan innovativepilotproject inBrazil andKenya that seeks tochangethepublicperceptionofprotestersbasedonsocialmarketingresearchandadvertisingtools.

❏ Wewill performmonitoring and analysis of laws and policies that hinder protest and willengage in strategic litigation cases as third party, particularly in countries like Mexico andBrazil

❏ Nationally, ARTICLE 19 will work with marginalised communities to improve access toparticipation,suchwithasruralgroupsinBrazilinrelationtolarge-scaledevelopmentprojectsintheAmazon,andwiththeLGBTQIcommunityinBelarusandCentralAsiatocombatalegalenvironmentthatsilencestheirvoicesinpublicfora.

❏ ARTICLE19will leadefforts tocounterhatespeechandpromotereligious tolerance,basedontheUN-endorsedRabatPlanofAction,attheinternationallevelandthroughnationalpilotprojects inBangladesh,TunisiaandMyanmar.BasedonARTICLE19’s long-standingworkontheprotectionof theuniversalityof freedomofexpressionand information,ARTICLE19willactivelyadvocatefortheinclusionandprotectionofthemostvulnerableinsociety,whetheritisrefugeesandMuslimexercisingtheirpoliticalrightsintheWest,orLGBTIactivistsinhostilecountries.

❏ In consultation and close collaboration with key actors, ARTICLE 19 will generate greaterunderstandingandknowledgeontheconceptofcounteringviolentextremism,whichwillbetranslatedintoapositionpapertoinforminternationaldebate.

Regional Focus. Global with deeper engagement in Brazil, Mexico, Kenya, Ukraine, Bangladesh,Tunisia,Myanmar,Malaysia,Belarus,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Poland.Beneficiaries. Media workers and CSOs monitoring protest, protesters, members of socialmovements; rural (incl. indigenous) communities,women, LGBTI; religious groups/ leaders, LGBTIgroups,youth/students,journalistsandothermediaactors,parliamentariansandothergovernmentofficials

THEMETWO-fightagainstimpunityandprotectionofthosedefendinghumanrightsWhy change is essential. Journalism plays an essential role in democracy at the frontline ofdefendinghumanrightsandfundamentalfreedoms,includingtherightofanopenanddemocraticsocietytobeinformed.Italsoplayakeyrolecommentingorreportingonareasofpublic interest,uncovering abuses of power, shining light on corruption and/or questioning received opinion.Human rights defenders (HRDs) play a crucial role in shining a light on the darkest corners of acountry,remindinggovernmentsandcorporationsoftheirobligationstoprotecttheruleoflawandhumandignity.Yetjournalists,socialcommunicatorsandhumanrightsdefendersfindthemselvesundersustainedattack,facingharassment,violenceanddeathinhigh(andsometimesrising)numbers.Theimpunityfor thesecrimes is shockinglyhigh: theCommittee toProtect Journalists reports that9outof10killersofjournalistsneverfacejusticefortheirattacks.Howwewill focusourwork.ForovertwodecadesARTICLE19hasworkedtoprotectanddefendfreedom of expression and information, particularly individual advocates of these rights.We willcontinue working to improve the security conditions and protection tools and mechanisms forjournalists, media workers, HRDs, bloggers and others engaged in defending human rights

6

(particularly freedomofexpressionand information)and fightingagainst corruption.This includesworkonenhancingaccesstojusticeandtruthbythosevictimizedbytheState,andafocusontheprotectionofenvironmentalhumanrightsdefenders.OurGlobal Impact.Thoseon the front linedefending freedomof expressionand informationaresupportedbyeffectivenetworksofinstitutionsandactivistsatthelocal,regionalandgloballevels,and by strong legal frameworks and mechanisms, thus ensuring that violations are known,perpetrators held accountable, and effective relief or redress is secured. In particular, there isimproved access of women and sexual and gender minority journalists, Environmental HumanRights Defenders, media workers and other communicators to specific tools and knowledge toprotect themselves online and offline from physical, digital and legal risks or threats. Protectionmechanismsandsupportnetworksarenuancedtoeffectivelymitigateriskandthreatsforwomenandsexualandgenderminorities.Approachandmethodology-prioritisedactivities❏ An‘onlineviolationreportingplatform’thatmakesiteasierandmoretransparentforviolations

tobebrought totheattentionof theOHCHRandspecialprocedures.ARTICLE19 is leadingagroup of international organisations, (including CPJ, RSF, IMS, FPU, IPI, and IFEX)1, toimplementaplatformthatwillchanneltheircommunicationsoncasesbasedonmonitoringatthenationallevel.TheplatformwillincreasetheinformationavailabletotheOHCHRtoenablemorerobustreportingonviolations.Moreover,informationsubmittedviatheonlineviolationsplatform can be used comparatively against states submissions to the UNESCO 'Report ofUNESCO's Director-General on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity', in theUniversalPeriodicReviewandformeasuringtheAgenda2030indicator16.10.1.

❏ Buildinguponournetworkandworkinthecountry,ARTICLE19willcomprehensivelymonitoranddocumentlegalandjuridicalviolationsoffreedomofexpressioninTurkeyandexposethistoanationaland internationalaudience, focusingon responding todetentionsof journalists,trial monitoring and advocacy. We will support an online log of detained journalists, withsupport from local partners; while coordinating an informal coalition of international NGOs,which aligns key advocacy messages and activities, and coordinates trial monitoring, topromotefreedomofexpressionandruleoflawissues.

❏ ARTICLE 19will provide legal support and security training to those threatened by state andnon-stateactors,particularlyinBrazil,EastAfrica,BangladeshandMyanmar.Wewillalsoworkinconcertwithotherorganisationstoprovideemergencyassistancetothosefacingimmediateriskofharm.

❏ Based on our working documenting the extreme danger facing environmental informationactivists,wewillworkwithlocalandindigenouscommunitiesintheAmazonbasin,Cambodia,Tunisia,andBangladeshtoenhancetheirself-protectioncapabilitiesandadvocateforgreatersupportattheregionalandinternationallevels.

❏ ARTICLE 19 will enhance the protection of the LGBTI community online in the Middle Eastthroughourpartnershipswithsocialmediadatingappstoprovideinformationtousersonhowto keep themselves safe online and advise the companies on enhancing privacy and safetyprotectionsatastructurallevel.Wewillalsocontinueourworktoenhancetheself-protectionmeasuresforLGBTactorsinCentralAsia.

Regional Focus. Global focus with engagement at different level in Brazil, Bangladesh, Senegal,Myanmar,Cambodia, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia,Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan,Gambia, Senegal,

1CommitteefortheProtectionofJournalists,ReportersWithoutBorders,InternationalMediaSupport,FreePressUnlimited,International

7

Mali, Nepal, Bangladesh, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine,Moldova,Belarus,Iran,Tunisia,Egypt,LebanonBeneficiaries. CSOs working on safety of journalists, journalists and other media workers, mediahouses, environmentalHRDs,human rightsdefenders, LGBTI groups, governmentofficials andUNtreatybodiesTHEMETHREE–digitalfreedomofexpressionandinformationWhychangeisessential.Theinternetandnewmediahavebecometheforemostpublicplatformforsocial debate and communication, which presents an alternative civic space online and anopportunity to elude traditional threats. The ability of individuals to freely and safely impart andreceive information and opinions on the Internet is empowering, giving them the voice to bringaboutchange.Additionally,theroleofinformationandcommunicationstechnology(ICT)inpromotingsustainabledevelopment, supporting public policies and service delivery has been internationally recognised,includingthroughtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals.Workingforgreateraccesstoafree,safeandopeninternetisthereforenotsolelyaboutpromotingfreedomofexpressionandhumanrights,butalso about promoting gender equality and economically, socially and environmentally sustainabledevelopment.Howwewillfocusourwork.OverthecomingyearsARTICLE19willseektobuildonoursuccessfulwork to embedhuman rights principles on freedomof expression and information into practices,productsandprocessesthatimpacttheInternet,basedonacommitmenttoprotecttheindividual’srighttoengageindebate,dissentandinformationsharingonanopenInternet.Our Global Impact. International human rights standards and principles, specifically including therighttofreeexpressionandinformation,arebroadlyrecognisedasfullyapplicableonlineandthereiswidespreadandgenerallyunrestrictedaccesstotheinternet,whilegovernments,companies,andinternationalinstitutionsinvolvedindigitalpolicies,products,andservicesaredemonstratingstrongcommitmentstopreservingandexpandingtheserights.Thelongtermgender-goalofARTICLE19’sworkforthisthemeistoimprovewideawarenessofthegendergapinthepromotionofuniversalaccess– as essential to exercising freedom of expression and access to information –in targetedcountriesandeffectivecoalitionswillbeinplacetoassurethis.Approachandmethodology-prioritisedactivities❏ ARTICLE 19 will pursue policy commitments and instruments and technical standard-

development that respect human rights at key internet standard setting and governancebodies,aswellaswithcorporateactors.

❏ ARTICLE 19 will advocate for privacy online in keeping with our 2017Global Principles onprotection of freedom of expression and privacy2, as well as promote the freedom ofexpression and information arguments against mass surveillance for campaigns in targetcountriessuchasKenyaorMexico

❏ We will continue working on protecting FoE/I online at national level in Russia, Kenya,Uganda,Rwanda

2https://www.article19.org/resources/the-global-principles-on-protection-of-freedom-of-expression-and-privacy/

8

❏ ARTICLE19willengageand influence theprivate sector in regards to termsandconditions,FOE/IanddataprotectionofferedbyInternetandtelecommunicationscompaniesinordertoprovidethebroadestpossibleFOEprotectionsforcontentonline.

❏ WewillworktodevelopandwidelydisseminateajointcivilsocietypositionpaperonArtificialIntelligencethatwillinformourcommunityofthecrucialbattlesheadonthistopic.

Regional Focus. This theme will have a broad geographic cover with activities implemented atinternational level andnational interventions focusedonKenya,Uganda,Rwanda,Mexico,Russia,UK, France, Germany, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,Poland,Iran,Saudi,Egypt,Tunisia,Morocco,Senegal,Gambia.Beneficiaries.Direct beneficiaries will include high level human rights bodies, CSOs, digital rightsadvocates, policy makers, ECOWAS, internet and telecommunications companies and Internetgovernance and technical standards bodies-International Corporation for Assigned Names andNumbers(ICANN)andtheInternetEngineeringTaskforce(IETF)andtheInternetResearchTaskforce(IRTF), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE)- Indirect beneficiaries are broad as ARTICLE 19 will work to protectpeople’srightsaroundtheglobetosafelyexercisetheirFoE/Ionline.THEMEFOUR-developmentandtransparencyWhychangeisessential. Increasingdemandsfortransparencythroughtheexerciseoftherighttoinformation(RtI)enablescitizenparticipationandtheexerciseofsocio-economicandpoliticalrights,fosters development, economic performance and makes national authorities accountable. Itempowers communities to balance the unequal power dynamic between them and theirgovernments,essentialforpromotingdemocracy,theruleoflaw,equalaccesstovariousrightsandbenefitsaswellasfightingcorruption.Inclusivesustainabledevelopmentalsodependsonthatpowerparadigmchanging.TheRtIhasbeena key element of sustainable development since the 1992 Rio Declaration. In the SustainableDevelopmentGoals (SDGs), access to informationheld by public bodies has been recognised as anecessaryenablingmechanismforpublicengagementacrossthegoalsandspecificallyincorporatedintoGoal16,aswellasimplicitlyasintomanyothergoalsandtargets.How we will focus our work. ARTICLE 19 will focus on advocating for better legislation andimplementationofaccesstoinformationlaws,aswellaseffectiveuseofthoselawsbycivilsociety.Wewillcontinuetomainstreamrighttoinformation(RTI)principlesinthedevelopmentagendawithafocusonenhancingpublicparticipationofmarginalisedandvulnerablecommunities.OurGlobalImpact.RtIisstronglyreflectedinnationallegislationandpracticesandinthelanguageandpracticesofmajor international institutionstargetingdevelopment,enablingcommunitiesandindividualstobeempoweredtoholdgovernmentsandotheractorsaccountableforpromotinganddefendinghumanandsocio-economicrights.ARTICLE19willpromotetheserights ‘ontheground’across key sustainable development areas, such as environment, water and health, to set bestpracticeforpromotionandreplicationatthelocalandnationallevels.Approachandmethodology-prioritisedactivities❏ ARTICLE19willworkwithcivilsocietytoconductshadowmonitoringreportsontheprogress

towards the achievement of SDG Goal 16.10 on access to information and fundamentalfreedoms.

9

❏ ByfocussingonenhancingtheroleofinfomediariesinOpenContracting,wewillhelptobridgethegapbetweentheopengovernmentNGOsandpeopleseekingimprovedservicedeliveryontheground.ARTICLE19’sregionalofficesandteamswillseektheeffectiveimplementationofRTI on the ground through engaging with local CSOs working on health, women andenvironmentalissuestorealisetheirinformationrights.

❏ ARTICLE19willpursueprogressivestandardsonRTIatmulti-lateralbodies thatconformstoARTICLE19'sprinciplesandsetsapositiveinternationalagenda.

❏ ARTICLE19'swill pursue thedevelopmentandadoptionofappropriate standards regardingwhistleblowingatkeyinternational,regionalandnationallevels.

RegionalFocus.Cambodia,Malaysia,Myanmar,China,Mexico,Brazil,Kenya,Tanzania,Azerbaijan,Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Russia, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Senegal, Gambia,Mali,NigerBeneficiaries. Direct Beneficiaries: CSOs working on health, women and environmental issues,disadvantaged groups (including rural and indigenous communities), journalists, HRDs,whistleblowers. Indirectbeneficiaries:UNbodies,member statesandcivil society ingeneralasanopeninformationregimewillbenefitthem.THEMEFIVE-mediafreedom,pluralismandpublicinterestWhychangeisessential.Anopenanddemocraticsocietybasedontheruleoflawcanonlyoperateeffectively ifthere isan independentandpluralisticmediaenvironment-offlineandonline-,whichprovidepublicplatformstoensurefreedomofopinionandexpressionandtheenjoymentofotherhumanrights.Afairandobjectivemediacoverageofthewholescopeofsocial,politicalandculturalissues can have profound influence on people’s opportunities to access information and services,understandandbeable toexercise their rights,participate indecisions thataffects their livesandholdthoseinpoweraccountable.Howwewill focusourwork. In lightof theabove,ARTICLE19willworktostrengthentheroleofcivil society organisations, media organisations and activists to advocate for improved mediapluralism, freedomandaccountability through legal andpolicy support, skill transfer, trainingandcoalition building; monitoring violations of media freedom and pluralism. We will define a newpolicyagendaonmediaconvergence, lookingtoprotectfreedomofexpressionandinformationasthelinebetweennewandtraditionalmediaerodes.Global Impact. The promotion and protection ofmedia pluralism,media freedom and the publicinterest in an increasingly globalized, digitalized and converged media landscape will be widelyrecognised and reflected in laws, policies and practice. Specifically, the organisation’s long termgender goal under this theme is for women and LGBTQI persons, as well as their interests andneeds,arebetterrepresentedinthemedia.Genderequalitywillbewidelyrecognisedandreflectedinlaws,policiesandpractice.Approachandmethodology-prioritisedactivities❏ ARTICLE19willdevelopapolicyonmediaregulationinthedigitalageinconsiderationofthe

newmedialandscapesastheyareshapedbytheevolutionofdigitaltechnologies.❏ ARTICLE 19will continue topromote existing standards on independent regulation,media

ethicsandself-regulationinlegislationandpractice.❏ ARTICLE19will exploremodels for independent self-regulation for contentonlineby social

mediaanddigitalplatforms.

10

❏ ARTICLE19willmeasureandraiseawarenessabouttheimpactofstatefinancingandpublicadvertisingonindependenceofmediainanumberoftargetcountries,seekingtodevelopandpromoteinternationalbestpracticeinthisarea.

❏ Campaigning on decriminalisation of defamation and other contentwill continue to featurestrongly,includingupdatingandpromotingtheARTICLE19principlesondefamation.

❏ ARTICLE 19 will foster greater shared understanding of the implications of ‘fake news’,including with a focus on improving the distribution and visibility of pluralistic qualityjournalisticcontentonsocialmediaplatforms.

RegionalFocus.Myanmar,Mexico,Kenya,TanzaniaRwandaandUganda,Russia,Azerbaijan,Turkey,Ukraine,Moldova,Belarus,Tunisia,Morocco,Lebanon,SenegalBeneficiaries. Journalists, media houses, media councils, media house ombudspersons, lawyersworkingonmediafreedom,mediaorganisations,mediaregulatoryandself-regulatorybodiesGeographicscopeandapproachofourwork

ARTICLE 19’smission is delivered predominantly through our regional and project offices aroundtheworld, growing our long term engagement inmultiple countries to achieve effective practicalchangeprotectingfreedomofexpressiononthefrontline.Inthoseregionalofficesandprogrammeswe operate directly with communities and target groups through our local teams of programmeofficers, complemented by local legal, communications, and financial expertise in some of theoffices,aswellasthroughinternational,regionalandlocalpartners.Atpresentourregionalofficesarebasedin:

● MexicoandCentralAmerica(MexicoCity,Mexico)● BrazilandSouthAmerica(SaoPauloandBrasilia,Brazil)● SenegalandWestAfrica(Dakar,Senegal)● EasternAfrica(Nairobi,Kenya)● BangladeshandSouthAsia(Dhaka,Bangladesh)● MENA(Tunis,Tunisia)(includingIranprogramme,locatedinLondon)

ARTICLE19hasaUnitedNationsofficeinNewYork,UnitedStates;aswellasanofficeinWashingtonDC,United States. ARTICLE 19’s regional team coveringAsia and Pacific is located across nationaloffices/representationsinPhnomPenh,Cambodia;Yangon,Myanmar;andKualaLumpur,Malaysia.Given the extensive background in the protection of freedom of the expression and right toinformation in their countries, as well as their permanent presence and networks, our regionaloffices and teams have become the primary means to achieve the XpA, owned by the wholeorganisation,butdrivenbytheemergingtrendsandneedsidentifiedbyourlocalteamsinresponsetothechallengestoFoE inacomplexandoftenfastchangingworld.This iscomplementedbytheinternationaloffice’sdualfunctionof1)developinganinternationallaw/policyandadvocacyagendaand2)providinghighqualityguidanceandbackstoppingsupporttotheregionalofficeswork.

11

The newly established office in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) will serve as geographical andoperationallocationforARTICLE19’sEuropeandCentralAsiaProgramme(ECA),currentlylocatedinLondon.

ARTICLE19workandobjectivesinEuropeandCentralAsia

ARTICLE19havebeenworkingwithpartnersacrossECAtodelivertheExpressionAgenda.Overthenext two years, our targetwill be particularly focused on the delivery of the 5 regional thematicobjectivesoftheExpressionAgendaasfollows:THEMEONE–protectingandpromotingcivicspacePeopleacrosstheregion,particularlyinPolandandCentralAsia,havethecapacitytoprotecttheirprotests,monitorviolationsandrespondeffectively to these.Protestviolations,particularly in thecontextofelections,areexposedinthemediaandatnationalandinternationalforawithviolationsmonitoredandcovered innationaland internationalmedia;statementsandcommunicationsfrominternational community pressuring target countries; and CSOs and journalists referring to A19policy.CensorshipofpoliticalandculturalexpressionthatunderminesparticipationischallengedandcircumnavigatedinCentralAsiaandTurkey,withminorityandmarginalisedgroups,particularlyLGBTactivists,abletoovercometheobstaclesthatpreventthemfromparticipatinginbroadercivilsocietyinitiatives.Women,LGBTIpeople,andotherminoritiesgroupswillbeabletochallengecensorshipthroughcollaborationwithbroaderCSOs.CivilsocietyinBelarus,CentralAsia,Moldova,RussiaandUkrainepursueresponsestohatespeechanddiscriminationthatrespectstandardsonfreedomofexpression.Theyadvocateagainstanyrestrictionsthatunderminetheuniversalityofhumanrights,withCSOcoalitionsandactionplans

12

developedtopromotefreedomofexpressionandequality,increasedawarenessofCSOs,regulatorsandlawmakersoninternationalstandardsandA19principles,statementsandexpertopinionsusedfornationalandinternationaladvocacy;andtrainingsonFoEandhatespeech.THEMETWO-fightagainstimpunityandprotectionofthosedefendinghumanrightsPeopleatriskforexercisingtherighttofreedomofexpressionareprovidedwithcontext-specifictoolstoprotectthemselvesbothonandoff-line,inBelarus,CentralAsiaandRussia.Asaresult,bloggers,journalistsandHRDswillhaveanawarenessofthethreatsfacingthemandunderstandingofhowtomanagethesethreats.ProtectionworkintheregionincludesmaterialsandapproachesrespondingtospecificneedsofLGBTgroups.Mediaoutletsemploysystematicapproachestoprotecttheirstaffwithmediahousesusingcomprehensivesecurityprotocols.InCentralAsia,selectedmediaoutletsaresupportedtodevelopcomprehensivesecurityprotocolstoprotectthemselvesandtheirjournalistsfromphysical,digital,andlegalrisksorthreats.LawyersinCentralAsia,RussiaandTurkeyworkingtodefendFoEincreasepersonalsecurityanddonotputtheirclientsatrisk.Lawyershavethecapacityandfinancetotakeonfreedomofexpressioncasesandincorporateinternationalstandardsintotheirdefencewithjournalists,bloggersandHRDsandothersreceivinglegalsupportordefenceforfreedomofexpressionrelatedcasesinCentralAsia,RussiaandTurkey;trialsinvolvingviolationsoftherighttofreedomofexpressionaremonitored,expertopinions/amicuscuriaebriefsaresubmittedtonationalandregionalcourts;andlawyersaretrainedoninternationalfreedomofexpressionstandardsandusingtheseintheirdefences.StateauthoritiesinCentralAsia,RussiaandTurkeyfacepressuretoceaseharassmentofindividualsonthebasisoftheirexpressionandtoreformlawsandpoliciesthatenablethis,withjudicialhearingsagainstjournalists,HRDsmonitoredbylocalandinternationalmonitors;interventionsatinternationalcourtsandoutcomesofcases,statementsandcommunicationsfrominternationalcommunitypressuringtargetcountriestoupholdfreedomofexpressionobligations,andcoverageoffreedomofexpressionviolationsintargetcountriesininternationalmediaandonsocialmedia.THEMETHREE–digitalfreedomofexpressionandinformationViolationsoffreedomofexpressiononlineinTurkey,RussiaandCentralAsiaaredocumented,withtheinformationutilisedbyeffectivecoalitionstoadoptmitigationstrategies,preventtheadoptionof new restrictive legislation and consistently challenge regressive developments in national andinternationalfora,withpublicationsandstatementsdocumentingviolationsofFoE;coalitionsusinginternationalstandardsandA19policiestoactivelychallengeviolationsofFoEonline;andregionalCSOsengagedininternationaldebatesononlinefreedomofexpression;Attempts to limit or block online content related to vulnerable groups (e.g. political opposition,minorityandLGBTIgroups)arewell-publicisedatthedomesticandinternationallevel,andsustainedpressureisappliedforregulationoftheInternetthatintegratestheprinciplesofnon-discrimination.InternationalandregionalcoalitionshaveengagedwithICTs,ensuringtheyunderstandhowpolicies,productsandservicesimpactonfreedomofexpressionacrosstheECAregion,andencouragingtheadoptionofservicesthatsafeguardthisright.A19willensuretheconsiderationsofminoritygroupsare represented as part of the international and regional coalitions, and where possible includerepresentativesfromthesegroups.

13

THEMEFOUR-developmentandtransparencyWesterncountries,IFIs(EBRD)andrelevantmultilateralbodies(OGP,EITI)applytheirstandardsandpoliciesonfreedomofexpressionandcivicspacewhenmakingdecisionsoneconomicanddevelopmentcooperationwithECAcountries,particularlyinAzerbaijan,Belarus,CentralAsiaandTurkey.Whereappropriateissuesaffectingwomen/LGBTgroups,andotherminoritygroups,connectedtohavingtheirrighttoAccesstoInformationrestrictedwillbehighlightedinourcommunicationwithtargetstakeholders.InRussiaandCentralAsia,governmentsfacepressuretoimproveimplementationofRTIlegislation,withjournalistsandcivilsocietyactorshavingtheskillsandknowledgetorequestinformationandexerciseawatchdogroleovergovernment.ViolationsofRTIinthesecountriesarehighlightedatthenationalandinternationallevel.Issuesfacingwomen,youngpeople,LGBT,andotherminoritygroupswithregardstoRTIaredocumentedandtheyareprovidedwithaplatformbywhichtoraisetheseissues,includingataninternationallevel.THEMEFIVE-mediafreedom,pluralismandpublicinterestInternationalstandardsonfreedomofexpressionareincorporatedintonewlegislationaffectingmedia.Legislationunderminingmediapluralismandpublicinterestreportingisexposedandcondemnedinnationalandinternationalmediaandhumanrightsfora.MediaintheECAregionaresupportedwhenfacedwithregressivelegislationandareabletohavetheirvoicesheardataninternationallevel,particularlyonRussia,TurkeyandCentralAsia.AttemptsbygovernmentsinEUcountries,whosepoliciesonextremism,terrorismorsecuritymayhaveresonanceelsewhere,(e.g.UK,France)tostiflemediapluralismandpublic interestreportingonthegroundsofnationalsecurityarehaltedorreversed.Mediaregulatorsandself-regulatorybodiesacrosstheEUcountriesimplementpoliciesthatprotectfreedomofexpression,whileeffectivelyrespondingtohatespeech,withregulatorstrainedonFoEandequalityandnon-discrimination.TraditionalandonlinemediainBelarus,CentralAsia,andRussiareflectadiversityofperspectives,particularlywithregardtosexualandgenderminorities,withjournaliststrainedonsensitiveandaccuratecoverageofLGBTissues,FoEandhatespeech;articleswithaccuratecoverageofLGBTpeopleandissues;withSOGIincludedtocodesofconductofmediaoutlets.

C. ARTICLE19’SBACKGROUNDANDAUDIENCE

ARTICLE19isanindependentnot-forprofitorganizationdedicatedtothepromotionoffreedomofexpression(FoE)andtherighttoinformation(RtI)asafundamentalhumanandempowermentright.Theorganizationholds a uniqueposition as global standard setting and advocacy INGO,marryinginternational best practice on governance and human rights with deep regional and nationalknowledge through an integrated global approach to the fight for freedom of expression andinformation.Inearly1980s,AmericanbusinessmanandphilanthropistJ.RoderickMacArthuroriginallyenvisagedthe founding of an organisation which would defend the right to freedom of expression. After

14

MacArthur’sdeathin1984,hischildrencontactedNewYorkcivillibertieslawyerandformerdirectorof ACLU, Aryeh Neier. He commissioned Martin Ennals, a former secretary general of AmnestyInternationaltodevelopaproposalforaneworganisationtobecalledARTICLE19.KevinBoylewasappointedthe firstARTICLE19ExecutiveDirector in1987. Buildingonthepastyears, thecurrentExecutiveDirector,ThomasHugheshasenabledARTICLE19consolidate itspositionasa leaderonfreedomofexpressionofflineandonline.ARTICLE 19 is focused on delivering holistic outcomes –better policy, regulation and processes;stronger participation of civil society; improved security and protection of those defending humanrights, freedom of expression and right to information and use of technologies for accessing andunderstanding information and protection of individuals and CSOs- that will set precedents,establishingbestpracticesandlessonsharingatlocal,national,regionalandinternationallevels.

Toachievethat,ARTICLE19’sworkfocusesonempoweringindividualsandcommunitiestodemandtheir rights and participate in decision making processes prompting accountability, challengingcorruption and HRs abuses. It also works closely with governments, parliaments and informationcommissioners, through targeted training, expert advice, legislative drafting and advocacy, andinternational and regional institutions (UNHCHR, OAS, African Union, etc.) to promote opendisclosurepoliciesandpractices.

SuccessStories-whatARTICLE19hasachievedsofar

❖ DefendingFoEinanetworkedworld

ARTICLE 19 has made a significant investment into engaging different internet governance fora,laying the ground for theevolutionof internet governancewith the integrationof a rights-basedapproach in structuralpractices for key centralbodies. So,ourdigital team secured research intohuman rights protocol considerations and enhanced civil society participation throughrepresentativesfromtheGlobalSouthatIETF;gotahumanrightsbylawintroducedatICANN,andpunctured the impenetrability of the ITU. They also emerged as a subject expert on ArtificialIntelligence(AI) submittingwrittenevidencetotheHouseofLordsSpecialCommitteeonAIwhilecontinuingcollaborationwithstrategicpartnerssuch,asPrivacyInternational,todevelopajointcivilsocietypositionpaperonthesubject.

InpartnershipwiththeDanish InstituteforHumanRights,andtheDutch InternetDomain-registrySIDN,wehavecompletedtheveryfirstmodelforassessingthehumanrights impactsof Internetregistriestobetter identify,prevent,mitigate,andaccountforanyadverse impactsofacorporateactor’spoliciesorpracticesonhumanrights inthedigitalsphere.ThemodelwaspresentedattheInternetGovernanceForumandpromptedtheinterestbyseveralotherinternetprovidersaboutthepossibilityofcarryingouttheirownhumanrightsimpactassessments(HRIAs).

Given the renewed interest in the subject, we have been at the front of the debate on“misinformation(fakenews)andalternativefacts”acrosssocialmedia. InFebruary2017ARTICLE19, in partnership withWilton Park and the University of California Irvine, brought together keystakeholders to examine ‘fake news’ as a first step of a learning process about the actions andconsequences of this phenomenon considering the spectrum of fake news and the dilemmasassociatedalongside,particularlyinrelationtojournalismandpublicdebate.

❖ ProtectingtheuniversalityofFoE

15

Weareanexperiencedleaderdefendingtheprincipleofuniversalityofallhumanrights,changingnarrativesagainststigmatizationofvulnerableandmarginalisedgroups.

ARTICLE19’sEuropeandCentralAsiaprogrammeandpartnersfromBelarus,Moldova,Kyrgyzstan,Russia andUkraine launched the regional campaign #speakout4LGBT to stand up to hate speechagainstLGBTpeoplestrengtheningcoalitionsandcreatingspaceforvitaldebatesaboutfreedomofexpression. In Kazakhstan,we areworking on increasing their understanding of security risks andhow to manage them through legal means, while ourMiddle East and North Africa team hasengagedLGBTQIdatingapps,includingGrindrandHornet,toimproveusersecurityincountrieslikeEgypt,LebanonandIran,wheretheuseofsuchappscanbecomeincrediblyriskyandpotentiallylife-threatening. This is the first time the private sector joined with human rights sector and localcommunitiestoaddressonlinesafetyconcerns.ThisworkwillbeadaptedmorebroadlythroughouttheMENA region and to other countries such as Pakistan. InSenegalARTICLE 19 isworkingwithLGBTIyouthsandthemediaonhowdestigmatizingtheminpublicpresentations.OurSenegalofficehas also leadourworkwith other human rights actors at theAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeople’sRights(ACHPR)onseekingtopromoteLGBTIrights.

ARTICLE 19’s first-ever Mx Method led project- #SpeakingUp: Freedom of expression to countertechnologyrelatedviolenceagainstwomen,hasgivenustheopportunitytocompiletheinstitutionalhistory on our work on women and LGBTQI rights, logging it into an online shared database forcross-organisational learningandbuildingpartnershipwith institutions suchas theAssociation forProgressiveCommunications.Our Bangladesh and West Africa offices has focused on monitoring attacks and discriminationagainst women and women journalists. Our Bangladesh office in particular highlighted thereligiously–motivatedattacksagainstwomenjournalistscoveringprotests,whilstourWestAfricaoffice published a report on the biased portrayal of women on media. We have successfullycampaigned for a unified, nationwide information system on the number of cases of violenceagainst women in Brazil, which enabled women’s rights groups to better monitor government’sinitiatives to tackle gender-related violence; and launched the report ‘CensoredGender:Women’srighttofreedomofexpressionandinformationinMyanmar’linkingissuesofFoE/Iandgender.AspartoftheprogressintheinternalimplementationoftheMxMethod,ARTICLE19hascurrentlydeveloped the first draft of the Ethical Engagement Principles for Working with People inVulnerable Situations to ensure that we operationalise our work in a manner that is diverse,meaningfullyinclusiveandmitigatesharm.

❖ OnthegroundbattlestoprotectfreedomofexpressionOver the years ARTICLE 19 has consolidated its presence in the Global South, which has in turnincreasedournationalandregionalimpactandoutreach.In Bangladesh, ARTICLE 19 has had a central role in ensuring safety for journalists and bloggersprovidingdirectphysicaland legalsupport,andhelpingwithapplications forasylumorrelocation;welaunchedNirbhoy,“Fearless”,aholisticwebplatformtobolstergreateraccesstoinformationonthe protection of journalists and communicators aswell as securing reform of laws impacting ondigital rights. In Cambodia we have enhanced the protection of environmental human rightsdefenders and in Malaysia we’ve continued to fight against an increasingly repressive legalenvironment. InBrazilARTICLE 19 supported rural communities in the Amazon, such as the ParáState,tobeinapositiontoaccess informationandmakeinformedchoicesregardingenvironmentprojectsimpactingtheirlives.ThiswasadaptedtoworkontransparencywithindigenouswomeninChiapas,Mexico,buildingtheircapacitytorequestinformationfromtheHealthMinistryaboutlocal

16

expenditureon their health center andmedicines,which resulted in a newdoctor and requestedfundsbeingprovided.InMalaysia, with Projekt Dialog, we opened spaces for dialogue and engagement with religiousgroupstotacklereligious intoleranceandhatespeech.Asmomentumbuilt,wetookthisworktoTunisia, where we developed a ground-breaking hate speech toolkit in collaboration with theMinistryofEducation,whichisbeingincludedaspartofthenationalcurriculum.OurworkinTunisiagaveusalsoinsightintoworkingwithyouth,whoarenownewstakeholdersinourhatespeechworkinBangladeshandMyanmar.TheteaminKenyadefendedbloggerGeoffreyAndareandplayedacentral role in theHighCourtdeclaring Section 29 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA) that criminallysanctioned the ‘improper use of a licensed telecommunications system’ as unconstitutional. InSenegaltheteamhasplayedaleadingroleinthetransitionintheGambia,takingimpressivestepstoward fostering a true democracy and respect for human rights.ARTICLE 19’s team in Mexicoexposedoneoftheworldmostegregiouscasesofmasssurveillance,aswellasstruckablowagainstthemisuseofpublicadvertisingbythestate.CASESTUDY:TacklinghatespeechinTunisia. Instillinganunderstandingofcitizenshipandhumanrights iskeytofosteringhumanrightsawarenessandtolerance. InTunisia,ARTICLE19hastrainedyouthactivists in campaigninganddefending their ideas in relation to freedomofexpressionandhate speech. “This is a realmodel to engage youth in building a young free new Tunisia thatwealwayshavedreamedof, inadditiontopracticeourright indecision-makinganddrivingchange inourcommunities”saidHammadiKhelifi,atrainee.

Traineesdeveloppracticalplans,budgets,andschedulestoimplementmini-campaignsthattakeonissues likediscriminationagainst femaleandyoungercandidatesandvoters inthecontextof localelections,oraddressinequalitybetweenTunisia’sregions:“Ifeltlikethetraininghastakenmylifetoawholenewlevel,ahigherone. I learnedsomanynewanalysingmethodsandstartedtoseetheworldfromabetterperspective. Iwassoproudthatmyprojecthet_el_shih(‘Givethetruth’)wasselectedforanARTICLE19sub-grant[…]Iwouldliketocontinuetosensitisepeopletotherisksofhate speech and help them know how to say ‘stop’ to hate speech –in particular in the politicaldiscourses of political parties during elections. I have a dream and I want to make it a truth.”(NourhenSioud,youthcampaigner)

The programme, which aims to create educational tools for Tunisian students on freedom ofexpressionandhatespeech,wasrolledoutinfiveschoolsin2017.Thatsameyear,ARTICLE19wasincluded in the list of expert associations to be consulted by the Ministry for Education onintegratinghumanrightsintothenationalsyllabus.TheMinistryhasfurthercommittedtotakepartin the development of educational tools, their use in the curriculum, and their integration intoeducationreform.

Theworkconductedinschoolhasopenedfurtheropportunitiestoengageandcollaboratewithlocalpartnerstoaddressdiscriminationandhatespeechduringlocalelections.In2018,20associationsnationwideadoptedthe"MyPledge"initiative,committingtoencouragepoliticalcandidatesinTunisia’sforthcoming2018municipalelectionsnottousehatespeechorextremistrhetoric.

❖ DefininglegalandpolicylandscapeOurworkisrootedinacomprehensiveunderstandingofinternationalhumanrightslawandpolicyandtheabilitytotranslateinternationalstandardsintonationalcontexts.Asoneof thepartnerorganisationsof theSIDA-fundedCivicSpace Initiative (CSI),ARTICLE19hasdevelopedpoliciesarticulatingprogressiveinternationalstandards,whichbuildonandsupportour

17

national efforts toprotect civic spaceacross a rangeof issues, including:“Standards for enablingparticipation and freedom of expression for people with disabilities” and “The Right to ProtestPrinciples”. Based on the standards set out by the latter, we have linked interventions atinternational, regional and national level, prioritising the protection of protesters’ rights–highlightingtheirrighttooccupypublicspace–andworkingtostrengthentheirabilitytoinsistontheserights.OurofficeinKenyahasfocusedonadvocacyandsupporttoauthoritiesonwhattheyshoulddotoprotectrightsduringprotests,aswellasprotectingtheactofprotestitself.ARTICLE 19 was instrumental in the development of the Rabat Plan of Action (2011) on theprohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement todiscrimination,hostilityorviolence,a landmarkeffortbytheUNtocombat incitementtoviolencewhile preserving free speech principles. ARTICLE 19 is now working to implement the Plan in anumberofcounties,includingTunisia,MyanmarandBangladesh.Ascontinuationofourhighquality, reliableandtimely legalanalysesof lawsandregulations thataffectsfreedomofexpressiononandofflineandregulationofthemedia,ARTICLE19wasinfluentialinpromotingmajorimprovementsinBangladesh’sdraftBroadcastingLawanddraftDigitalSecurityAct(2018)andintheenactmentofprogressiverighttoinformationlawsinKenya(2017)andTunisia(2016).ARTICLE 19 Mexico team’s strategic litigation on public advertising drove the decision by theNational SupremeCourt of JusticeobligatingCongress to regulate such advertising, in recognitionthattheabsenceofpublicadvertisingregulationhasaninhibitingeffectonfreedomofexpressionofmediaandjournalists,whileaffectingtherighttoinformation;andteamsinbothBrazilandMexicoregional offices achieved the adoption of government protocols regulating the use of force bysecurityforcesduringprotestsinthestateofSaoPaoloandMexicoCity,respectively.

❖ LocaltoGlobal(andBack)ARTICLE19defendsandpromotesfreedomofexpressionandfreemediaatastructuralandpolicylevellookingforalong-lastingimpactthatcallsforlocalownershipthatcandriveglobalchangebyempowering civil societywhile influencing decisionmakers at national, regional and internationallevel.In2016inadvancetothenationalelections,ARTICLE19workedtoraisetheprofileof,andpressureon, human rights violations in The Gambia at the African Commission on Human and People’sRights(ACHPR),bringingvictimstotestifyandmeetCommissioners,aswellascivilsocietyexperts.The result was the adoption of a landmark resolution for “consistent failure” to address humanrights violations. Thisworkwasmirroredby thedirect assistanceweprovided to victims, and thefamiliesof victime,of attacks and torture in theGambiaunder theprevious government.Wearenowinaprimepositiontohelpthiscountryinitstransitiontodemocracy,andareworkingcloselywiththenewgovernmenttoenshrinefreedomofexpressionstandardsinitsnewlaws.ThroughthedesignandimplementationofRtIprojectsatnational level incountriessuchasBrazil,Bangladesh, Senegal, Kenya and currently in Myanmar, we establish a clear link between thatfundamentalrightandthedailyexperienceofvulnerablegroups.Weusethoseprojectsasevidencefor UN advocacy on the compliance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), putting incontext how global policies impact people’s lives and how essential RtI is to sustainabledevelopment.Since 2012 we have consistently identified and engaged other national and internationalorganisations in theUniversalPeriodicReviewprocesses.And thanks toourworkandpresence in

18

Geneva,ARTICLE19hasbuilta close relationshipwith theUN-SpecialRapporteur (UN-SR)on theprotection of freedom of opinion and expression, working closely withMr. David Kaye on issuesaffectingthisfundamentalfreedomanddevelopedgoodcommunicationwiththeformerUNSRforFreedomofAssemblyandassociation,MainaKiai,andwearenowdevelopingpositivecontactswiththenewUNSR,Mr.ClementVoule. We worked closely with the Organization for the Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)RepresentativeonFreedomoftheMediaondigitalthreatstargetingfemalejournalists,resultinginthedraftof their internalproject report reviewon the issue;weprovidedsubmissions to theUN-OfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights(UN-OHCHR)fortheirreportonthegenderdivideand to the Secretary-General’s report to the UN General Assembly on gender and the safety ofjournalistsandtheissueofimpunity.ARTICLE 19 has continued to play a lead role on safety of journalists at international level,coordinating an international coalition of INGOs- The friends of Safety of Journalists (SOJ)coalition-,aswellasdefiningthegloballandscapeontherighttoinformation,throughworksuchaswiththeUNSpecialRapporteursonaccessto informationattheUNorarecentbookletonpublicprocurement.CASE STUDY: RAE. Coalition building underpins many of ARTICLE 19’s successes. The friends ofSafetyofJournalists(SOJ)coalition,agroupof internationalorganisations(includingCPJ,RSF, IMS,FPU,IPI,andIFEX),wasformedbyARTICLE19inabidtocoordinateadvocacyattheUnitedNations(UN),particularlyatUNESCO,whichhasthemandatetooverseeSOJ issueswithintheUNandUNspecialproceduresbodies.

Followingnegotiationsin2016,thegroupandtheOHCHRagreedonthecreationofdigitalplatformforreportingviolationsagainstfreedomofexpression,‘ReportingAttacksonExpression’(RAE).Runby SOJ, the platform will channel communications of cases based on national level monitoring,increasing information available to theOHCHR to enablemore robust reportingon violations andenablingcivilsocietytotrackstates’responses.Theplatformwillaimtotacklethe‘implementationand effectiveness gap’ between global agreements on impunity and journalist safety offeringavenues for the pursuit and defence of progressive human rights standards, and theirimplementationatlocallevel,oftenduetolimitedinformationoncases.

The process leading up RAE is part of ARTICLE 19’s continuous work to increase effectiveness ofinternationalresolutionsandmechanismstocombat impunity.Ontheonehand, itwillstrengthensystems and processes at the UN, as well as civil society’s ability to use them to defend humanrights. On the other, it will maintain pressure on states to show they are taking action to endimpunity.

❖ StrongerandunitedGlobalARTICLE19ARTICLE 19’s geographic expansion has become one of the organisation’s distinctive features,strongly positioning us to test global principles and practices in challenging local settings whilespeaking with authority in international forums. However, this quick expansion and intensivegrowth over the last years have placed a challenge on our systems in terms of finance, projectmanagementandhumanresources.Wecontinueworkingtoaddressthatchallenge,seekingtoconsolidateandmakeprogresstowardsthe long term sustainability of our existing regional bases through three different approaches: 1)developingandlaunchingachangemanagementprocess toempowergreaterparticipationbyourregional directors in strategic decision-making and governance; 2) upgrading our finance andprojectmanagementsystemstouser-friendlyonlineplatformsacrossallprogramsandregionsfor

19

projectmanagement (AIMS) and finance (Access Dimensions) that allow for greater collaborationandefficiency;and3) increasingourrecruitmentforoperationalandfinancestafftoprovidehigh-qualitysupportacrosstheorganization.Since2014,ARTICLE19’s Internationalofficehasrecruitedand appointed a Director of Finance and Operations, a Director of Communications, a FinanceAssistant,aGenderLead,HeadofAsia,HeadofCivicSpace,HeadofDigital,aTechnologistandtwoDigital Officers, Head of Europe, Human Resources Manager, M&E and Reporting Officer,ManagementAccountant,MENAProjectAssistantandSeniorLegalOfficer,HeadofFundraisinganddevelopment and Fundraising Officer. This has been accompanied by significant growth in ourregionally-basedstaff,from57employeesto87,representing71%ofourglobalstaff.2017wasaveryintensiveandimportantyearforARTICLE19aswecelebratedthe30thanniversaryoftheorganisation.Duringlastyearwelaunchedanewglobalwebsiteandaunique,authoritativeassessmentoffreedomofexpressionandinformation,theExpressionAgenda(XpA)Metric,whichgivesacomprehensivepictureofthestateofFoE/Iinternationally.Themetricenablesustotargetouradvocacymoreeffectively,measuretheimpactofourwork,aswellasprovidesalobbyingtoolforourpartnersaroundtheworldandareliablenewsourceofinsightforjournalists,activists,andpolicymakers. This metric is a work in progress and ARTICLE 19’s partnership with V-Dem willsupport the development of additional, relevant indicators in the global dataset, particularly inrelation to the right toprotest, the impactof Internetgovernanceand financial transparency.Wewillupdatethereportannually toproviderigorousevidencetosupportadvocacy incountriesandinternationalbodies.

D. FUNDRAISINGSTRATEGY

ARTICLE19holds auniquepositionwithin thewider freeexpressionand information community,being the definitive global standard setting and advocacy INGO. As such, ARTICLE 19 commandsstrong name-recognition and respect amongst current and potential donors, thereby providingscope tosolidifyandgrowtheorganisationglobal fundingbase. To reachour fundraising targets,ARTICLE19hasdevelopedastrategyoftriangulationthat involvessimultaneouslyengagingdonorsatcentral,regionalandnationallevels,tobothsetprioritiesatthestrategiclevelandaddressthoseprioritiesontheground.Thecoreofourfundraisingwillbedeepeningourengagementandrelationshipwithexistingdonors,particularly governments. Government donors, private donors and foundationswith internationalfocusarekeentoensureacoordinatedandglobalfootprintfortheirgrantgiving.Assuch,ARTICLE19willworkcentrallyatthepolicy level,demonstratingcoordinated internationalapproachesthatcanassistwithaccessingandmatchingmultiplefundinglines.Assuch,opportunitiescanbeopenedforcorefundingacrossbothARTICLE19internationalandregionalofficesasaresultofcoordinatingapproachesanddemonstratingglobalimpact.Moreover,privatedonorsfundingoneofficeofARTICLE19canbeengagedtofundotherofficesandactivities,andwherecore(unrestricted)fundingisprovided,programmaticfundingcanbesoughttomatchandviceversa.The internationalstructureofARTICLE19providesforauniqueopportunityasdonorsarekeentoensure that funding goes to nationally registered, locally grounded organisations, whilst alsobringinginternationalexpertiseandimpact.WehavealsoinvestedinincreasingourcultivationofUS-basedfundingbyopeningupanofficeinWashington DC to further invest in relationship building, building consortiums with other

20

organisations who receive significant US funding (such as HIVOS, ICNL, Freedom House), andimproving our technical fundraising skills to respond to more calls from USAID and the USDepartmentofState,inparticular.WearealsotargetingUS-basedprivatefoundationsfor increasedengagement. FoundationssuchasHewlett,Ford,MacArthurandOSFhaveincreasinglygivengrantstotheorganisation.ThesitingoftheDeputyExecutiveDirector intheUSallowsforA19to improveourdonorrelationshipsandidentifynewUS-basedopportunities.As outlined above, in addition ARTICLE 19 will explore new funding opportunities with existingdonors, includingTheNetherlandsFinland,SwitzerlandandGermany,aswellastheUnitedStatesandCanada.ARTICLE19willalsolooktonewopportunitieswithmultilateraldonors,includingtheWorldBankInstitute,EuropeanCommissionandUNDEF.ThenewestablishedofficeinAmsterdamwill increase the organisation’s prospect to identify new Europe-based funding opportunities,cultivatedonor relationships andbuilding strategicpartnershipwith bothEuropeanorganisationsand private sector companies increasing name-recognition and skills, aswell as accessing donorsnot currently working with ARTICLE 19, such as France or Germany and consolidating ourbackgroundandexperiencewithotherssuchastheEuropeanCommission.AgoodexampleofthepotentialinthisstrategyisoursuccessfulconsortiumbidwithHIVOSandIIEDaccessingtheDutchMinistryofForeignAffairsstructuralstrategicpartnershipfunding.Thisconsortiumfundingwillgointoeffectin2016.Todiversifyourfundingsourcesandunrestrictedfunding,ARTICLE19 is launchinganewHighNetWorthIndividualfundraisingstreamin2018,withmodestgrowthprojections.Thisfundingstreamwill take, on average 24 months to see a positive return on investment, but we believe it is anecessarypartofourorganisationalgrowth.Ourfundraisingstrategyisunderpinnedbyadata-drivenapproach,measuringandmonitoringthepercentage of bids successfully won and the percentage of the fundraising target raised on aquarterlybasis.Thisallowsustoidentifyproblemareasandadaptourbudgetandexpectationsasthe planning period progresses. Practically, each program and regional office have a fundraisingtargetthat isestablishedaspartoftheannualbudgetingandoperationalplanningexercise. Theyare responsible formeeting this target, with the support of the senior leadership team and thefundraisingofficer.

E. FINANCIALSITUATION

Thefoundationhasnotstartedoperationsandholdsnofundsatthemoment.IthasveryrecentlyopenedabankaccountandwillreceiveaninitialgrantfromtheARTICLE19InternationalOfficeintheUKtostartitsoperationsinduecourse.

TheEuropeandCentralAsiateam’sbudgetfor2019isEUR715,000,whichisspentonsalaries,travel,campaignsandworkshops.Itisnotcertainatthisstagehowmuchofthiswillbespentthroughthefoundation,asthisisalargeextentdependentonourdonors.Allofitsincomecomesfromgrantsfromgovernmentsandlargefoundations.ThefoundationwillapplyforallnewgrantsintheEuropeandCentralAsiateam,unlessthedonorrequirementsmeanthattheystillneedtobeappliedfromtheUK.

IfalltheECAteamscurrentbudgetweretobespentonthroughtheNetherlandsfoundationthenthedetailedsplitofexpenditurewouldbe:

21

Personnelcost 360,000

Travel 67,000

Grantstopartnersandotherdirectprojectcosts

237,000

Workshops 4,000

Campaigns&advocacy 46,000

Equipment&otherofficecosts 1,000

Total 715,000

IncomeisexpectedtobeEUR662,000,withtheshortfallagainstexpenditurebeingmadeupfrombroughtforwardrestrictedreservesonspecificprojects.

Thefoundationdoesnothave,orintendtohave,anyborrowingarrangementsandstrictfinancialcontrolswillbeinplace,inlinewithourinternationalstandards,toensurethatexpenditureremainswithinapprovedbudgetsandinlinewithdonorrestrictions.

F. GOVERNANCEANDMANAGEMENTSTRUCTURE

ThefoundationcurrentlyhasthreeBoarddirectors,whoarealsosenioremployeesofARTICLE19asregisteredintheUK.TheemployeesaretheExecutiveDirector,whoholdstheroleofChair,DirectorofProgrammesandtheDirectorofFinanceandOperations,whoholdstheroleofTreasurer.

Theobligationsofallboardmembersaretoensurethat:thefoundationoperationswithinitslegalobjects;providestrategicdirectionforthefoundation;safeguardthegoodnameandvaluesofthefoundation.

TheChairoftheBoardisresponsiblefor:settingtheagendaandchairingboardmeetings;reviewingtheperformanceofboardmembersandleadingtheprocessforidentifyingandinductingnewboardmembers;ensurethatthefoundationhassystemsinplacetomanageitsassets;ensurethattheboardholdstheexecutivemanagementtoaccount.

TheTreasureroftheBoardisresponsiblefor:safeguardingtheassetsofthefoundation;ensuringthatfoundationisoperatingwithinitsmeansanddoesnottakeunduerisksinitsfinancing;ensurethatthefoundationcomplieswithitsstatutoryobligations,includingfilingannualstatementsandanypayrollobligations;ensurethatthefoundationproducesabudgetforitsannualoperations.

ThethirdboardmemberhasdirectresponsibilityformanagingtheHeadofEurope&CentralAsia,andthattheECAteamisperformingeffectively.

IntimeweexpecttoappointemployeesbasedintheNetherlandsandrecruitindependentboardmemberswhoareeitherresidentintheNetherlandsorwhohaveDutchcitizenship.

22

OrganisationalChart–InternationalStructure

StichtingArticle19highlightedinyellow(ECA)

InternationalBoard(oftrustees)

GeneralManagement

Team

InternationalOffice

EastAfricaRO

(Kenya)

Mexico&CentralAmericaRO

(Mexico)

SouthAmericaRO

(Brazil)

MENARO

(Tunisia)

SEAsiaRO

(Bangladesh)

WestAfricaRO

(Senegal)

SMT:ExecDir+DepExecDir+5Directors

AsiaOffice(Thailand)

Cambodia Myanmar

Malaysia

GeneralAssembly(InternationalBoard+3

regionalofficeboardchairs

USOffice

ToprowofROsaresubsidiarieswiththeirownlocalboard

Secondrowarebrancheswithoutalocalboard

GMTconsistsofSMT+6RODirectors+HeadofAsia+

HeadofECA

Europe&CentralAsia

(Netherlands)

23

OrganisationalChart–StichtingArticle19

Contactdetails:

Phonenumberand/oremail.TheaddressofthefoundationintheNetherlandsandotheraddressesARTICLE19Weesperstraat31018DNAmsterdamTheNetherlands

europe@article19.org

BoardofDirectors(3,asdescribedabove)

HeadofEurope&CentralAsia

ProgrammeOfficer

ProgrammeAssistant

ProgrammeOfficer

ProgrammeOfficer

ProgrammeAssistant