The Media Legal Defence Initiative provides legal support to journalists and media outlets who seek to protect their right to freedom of expression.

Journalists in Legal Crisis Map

This map was created using Ushahidi, a simple crowdsourcing tool that enables you to send us information about legal threats faced by journalists where you are.

This map visualises reports of incidents submitted via text message, email, twitter and the web. Reports of journalists sentenced to prison, arrested or threatened with a legal action because of their work, or ordered by a court or other judicial authority not to publish material, populate points on this public, interactive, web based map. The information is used to give us a better view of what's happening and to take action where necessary.

Who can use it?

Ushahidi is an open-source technology and everyone concerned about media freedom is welcome to use this tool to report cases to us. Anyone that is involved in, sees, or hears of legal action taken or threatened against a journalist or media outlet, and has access to a cell phone or computer, can make a report.

This system depends upon the participation of those who are directly involved in a legal matter and others. With enough of these eyewitness accounts we will be able to gather immediate data on legal crisis' faced by journalists and document them. The more reports that are submitted, the more powerful each individual report becomes.

Reporters can choose to remain anonymous or share their contact information. Contact information from reports will not be made public or shared without consent.

How can I make a report?

Reports can be made in five ways:

1. Filling out this form
2. Send a text message to +447879584174
3. Send an email to mldiushahidi@gmail.com
4. Via Twitter using hashtags #MLDI or #mldi
5. Via Facebook

What happens to the information I report?

All reports are made public and available on this map. Whilst MLDI takes reasonable steps to ensure that information is accurate, we are unable to verify every report and cannot guarantee the reliability of the information.

Get the word out! Tell your colleagues, friends, family members and social networks about the Journalists in Legal Crisis Map. The more people that know about this tool the better!

For more information about the Media Legal Defence Initiative please visit our website, www.mediadefence.org.