It’s the third day of my 12 Days of Charitable Giving. Readers have suggested deserving charities over the past few weeks, and I’ll be posting one a day for – well, 12 days (I’m clever that way). Today’s charity is the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent, nonprofit organization which has, as its mission, the promotion of press freedom worldwide and the defense of the right of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal. CPJ works to ensures the free flow of news and commentary by taking action wherever journalists are attacked, imprisoned, killed, kidnapped, threatened, censored, or harassed.
The CPJ was founded in 1981 by a group of U.S. correspondents who realized they could not ignore the plight of colleagues whose reporting put them in peril on a daily basis. One year later, the CPJ began its first advocacy campaign: a letter from CPJ Honorary Chairman Walter Cronkite helped prompt the release of three British journalists (Simon Winchester, Ian Mather, and Tony Prime) who had been arrested in Argentina while covering the Falklands War.
According to the CPJ, there have been 1228 journalists killed since 1992 (48 in 2016). The 10 deadliest countries for journalists since that time?
- Iraq: 178
- Syria: 107
- Philippines: 77
- Somalia: 62
- Algeria: 60
- Pakistan: 59
- Russia: 56
- Colombia: 47
- India: 40
- Brazil: 39
Journalists remain at risk for attack, abduction, imprisonment, and exile. In 2016, 259 journalists were jailed worldwide; that’s more than any other year since 1992. Since 2010, 452 journalists have been forced into exile. The top countries where journalists have been forced to flee? Syria, Ethiopia, Iran, Eritrea, and Somalia.
Others simply go missing.
CPJ has an assistance program to help journalists in dire situations. The program focuses on journalists who have been physically assaulted and need medical attention; those who need to go into hiding or exile to escape threats; and those in prison who have specific material needs. The program also refers journalists to other resources such as grants, fellowships, and awards.
To protect journalists, CPJ documents cases, publishes in-depth reports, conducts high-level advocacy, and provides individual moral and material support. The CPJ believes that information is power. By making abuse against the press public, CPJ is able to warn journalists and news organizations where attacks on press freedom are occurring. CPJ also organizes public protests and works through diplomatic channels to effect change.
So how can you help?
To make a donation by credit card or Paypal, you can click over to the website.
Donations may also be sent by mail. Checks should be made payable to the Committee to Protect Journalists and mailed to:
Committee to Protect Journalists
Development Department
330 7th Ave, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
To make a donation in memory of a family member, friend, or journalist, or to donate in honor of someone’s achievements, you can contact the Development Department by email at development@cpj.org or by calling 212.300.9002.
Contributions are acknowledged in the supporters section of the CPJ website (I am pleased to point out that Forbes Inc. is on the list) and in the print edition of Attacks on the Press.
CPJ also accepts in-kind donations and services. CPJ asks that you consider donating a broad range of products and services, including research, technology, advertising, publicity, printing, graphic design, photography, video, office space, furniture, and equipment. To do so, write to development@cpj.org or call 212.465.1004, ext. 107.
To claim a deduction for noncash gifts, remember that the amount of the deduction is generally the fair market value of the donated property: fair market value is typically defined as what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller. There are some important exceptions to this rule. Note, however, that the amount you can deduct for donated inventory is limited to the property’s basis if the fair market value exceeds the basis. It’s also important to note that the deduction for noncash gifts that you create (like art) is limited to the cost of the materials and not the fair market value. Remember, however, that you may never claim a tax deduction for your time/services even if you can easily place a value on your time or services.
I often suggest checking out third-party sites like Charity Navigator for more information about charitable organizations, including evaluations and access to tax forms and other financials. Charity Navigator gives CPJ a four-star rating. You can see Charity Navigator’s summary of CPJ’s financials and other info here.
To find out more about the work of the organization, check out their website, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. You can also check out their YouTube channel. Finally, to stay informed about the work of the CPJ and press freedom around the world, you can sign up for targeted emails.
Remember: Submissions to the 12 Days of Charitable Giving are made by readers, and in most cases, I can’t personally vouch for the good work that these folks do. So be generous. But be smart. Do your homework.
For more on making charitable donations, check out this prior post.
