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

What We Do

jhr's major international programs are long-term and sustainable. Laid out over a five-year time-line, all programs are handed over to local partners before they are completed. jhr works hard to have an enduring impact without creating dependency.

Before any programs begins, jhr consults with local media organizations to determine their needs and wants. Essentially, the programming lies in the hands of the media community, with jhr simply facilitating its development.

While each program is tailored to fit the country's specific needs, jhr's has developed an essential framework to guide trainers and the course of our work.

This toolkit includes:

Daily on-the-job Training – jhr trainers are placed at local media outlets, working in partnership with local journalists to produce stories on locally relevant human rights, governance and social justice issues.
Informal Workshops – jhr trainers offer bi-monthly informal workshops tailored to the specific needs of the media outlet they are working at.
Formal Workshops – jhr trainers work in partnership with local experts to offer free monthly workshops to those interested and invested in the power of Rights Media. Specific workshop topics are chosen by local participants and JHR trainers.
Student Workshops – jhr trainers offer workshops to students during the school year. The workshops compliment curriculum, build on what the students are learning in the classroom and ensure that the next generation understands the power of Rights Media.
Community Radio Training – A combination of daily on-the-job training and informal workshops, training with community radio stations lasts 1-2 weeks, based on the needs of the station.
Human Rights Reporting Network – jhr work in partnership with the local media community to develop and launch local networks those interested in Rights Media. These networks assist media practitioners to share expertise, resources and contacts.
Train the Trainers – Local journalists, human rights and social justice activists are trained to be local Rights Media resource persons. This ensures ongoing guidance and support to the local media community long after jhr's 5 year program is completed.

In addition to the seven main activities, jhr has three programs that provide further support to those who excel at Rights Media.

Small Grants – Locally run media and human rights/social justice organizations are invited to submit proposals for small projects they would like to run in the field of media development and/or human rights and social justice. jhr approves a certain number of projects and offers ongoing guidance and mentorship to the successful organizations.
Journalism Fellowships – jhr offers a limited number of fellowships each year to local journalists. Journalists are invited to submit applications on an issue they would like to cover in-depth. The journalists must express how they feel covering this issue will positively contribute to local and/or national change. Successful candidates are provided with a stipend and ongoing mentorship from jhr trainers for the duration of the Fellowship.
Human Rights Reporting Awards – jhr partners with local organizations to offer awards to those media outlets that have excelled in the human rights aspect of Rights Media. Media houses are invited to submit applications and winners are selected by a panel of local experts.