jhr (Journalists for Human Rights) | Mobilizing Media. Changing Lives.

About jhr

jhr is Canada's largest international media development organization. Our goal - to make everyone in the world fully aware of their rights - is as unique as it is powerful.

At no time in history has the media been more powerful - we live in the middle of 'Communications Age'. At jhr we are harnessing this power because it is simply the most effective and efficient way to create wide-spread societal awareness on rights issues.

All jhr programs promote Rights Media -- the process of writing, collecting, editing, producing and distributing media that creates societal dialogue on human rights issues.

In post-conflict countries -including the Congo (DRC), Liberia and Sierra Leone - jhr mobilizes local media to reach millions of African's regularly with human rights stories.

Across North America, jhr has an established presence on university and high school campuses, encouraging students to spread rights awareness within their own communities.

Both in Canada and abroad, jhr works in close partnership with local media owners and editors, journalists, journalism professors and students, to improve the overall media environment and make the world a better place.

Since its founding in 2002 by Ben Peterson, recipient of Canada's Top 40 under 40 Award, and Alexandra Sicotte-Levesque, jhr has been known for its straightforward approach and its dedication to sustainable results.

jhr's Core Principles
How is jhr Different?

jhr's Core Principles

jhr is an organization that:

seeks to eliminate the need for the work it does
creates change without creating dependency
runs needs-based programs with sustainable, long-term impact
works with local media on pressing local human rights issues
believes in the inherent equality of all human beings
respects all human rights equally
believes in the power of open and free discussion to create positive change
upholds the most stringent of human rights standards in its own operations
builds long-term and respectful relationships with its partners, volunteers, staff, funders and stakeholders
actively works with local partners in countries of operation
recognizes the power of all forms of media
ensures all projects and programs are ethically responsible
is non-partisan
respects local knowledge systems

jhr is an organization that does not:

deviate from its core mission or principles
create a need for itself
run short-term programs without substantive follow-up
provide band-aid solutions
prioritize one human right above another
assume it knows better than its local partners and stakeholders
provide monetary support to media outlets

How is jhr Different?

jhr is different — we don't easily fit into standard boxes used to describe non-governmental organizations (NGO). Nor do we want to.

The first non-governmental organization of its kind, jhr is:

As much a human rights organization as a media development organization.
A pioneer of the concept of Rights Media, the central theme of all jhr projects.
The only media-related NGO focused exclusively on human rights reporting.
The only media and human rights organization that conducts long-term and daily on-the-job training with our partner media organizations.

Our unique and innovative programs set us apart from other international development efforts.

As jhr leads the way to making the media a positive transformative force in the world, we hope other individuals, NGO's, schools and governments join the movement we've started.