How to report an attack on the media The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) needs your assistance to compile accurate and detailed alerts on abuses of press freedom in the southern African region. Alerts serve a very important function in the advocacy work of MISA. The ultimate aim of the alert is to spur people on to take action in the light of a particular violation. Apart from that, the alert serves the purpose of reporting and recording a specific event or incident, which either amounts to a violation of media freedom or freedom of expression, or significantly advances it. The alert is thus part of one of the most essential tools of advocacy - information. What to report: Journalists who are: Assaulted Arrested Censored Denied credentials Harassed Kidnapped Killed Missing Threatened Wrongfully expelled Wounded Wrongfully sued for libel or defamation News organisations that are: Attacked or illegally searched Censored Closed by force Raided, where editions are confiscated or transmissions are jammed. Materials confiscated or damaged Wrongfully sued for libel or defamation What to include in your report MISA needs accurate and detailed information about: Names of journalists and news organisations involved Date and circumstances of the incident Detailed background information Anyone with information about an attack on the media should call the researcher at MISA by dialling +264 61 232975 or by sending e-mail to alerts@misa.org Contact information for MISA country offices: See page 203. What happens with your information? Depending on the case, MISA will: Investigate and confirm the report Pressure authorities to respond Notify human right groups and press organisations around the world, including IFEX, Article 19, Amnesty International, Reporters San Frontiers, Human Rights Watch and the International Federation of Journalists and Increase public awareness through the press Publish advisories to warn other journalists about potential dangers Send a fact-finding mission to investigate MORE ABOUT MISA ALERTS The alert is different to a media statement that the latter is more a reaction and comment on an incident, while an alert is simply a report about it. Where comment is included in an alert So This Is Democracy? 2008 -283- Media Institute of Southern Africa