1. Media Advocacy

2. Advocacy Groups
A number of advocacy groups have emerged at global and national level to defend the rights of victims.
These are known as Human Rights Defenders.
The primary aim is to help the victims of violation of human rights by sharing their miseries and fighting with the agencies of state ‘with’ them and ‘for’ them.
Many a times, the agencies of state question their legitimacy, character and role.
So to extend legitimacy to the advocacy groups , UN adopted a declaration in 1999.

3. Declaration
Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels.
In 2000, UN created a post of Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders to protect the rights of advocators.
In 2008, this post was replaced by the UN special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.
Protective mechanisms for defenders was suggested:
Requesting States to prevent intimidating acts against the Defenders
Requesting States to adopt specific mechanism to prevent such abuses.

4. Role of Advocacy Groups
Media
Lawyers
Educational Institutions
Corporate Sector
NGOs

5. Media Advocacy Media is “medium of mass communication”. It includes:
Print media
Audio broadcasting
Audio visual broadcasting
Social media

6. Functions or Role of Media
Give publicity to cases of violations of human rights.
Give publicity to organisations and individuals involved in the promotion of human rights education.
Educate people.
Suggest the ways and means to address the violations.
Bring experts from all over the world on any human right issue through live discussions and provide the ways to oppose violations in the realisation of human rights.
Assemble people and bring the victims and perpetrators (who have committed a crime) to justice.
Guide the State and public in the realisation of human rights.
Provides information about the significant schemes, policies of State, political parties and leading judgments of courts.
Initiatives taken by media include: Construction of houses and schools, educating masses, helping people by liberal collection of donations in emergencies etc.
Helps in expression and dissemination of news and views to public.
Watchdog to prevent violations of human rights.

7. Self Regulation on Media
To ensure appropriate use of powers, the media should:
Adopt a self-regulatory mechanism to present the truth to help victims of human rights to seek justice.
Take care of content and language of the report. The language should be decent.
Employ only well qualified and trained reporters so that they can do quality work.
Exercise some control in publishing materials, reports or photos that create tension or sensitivity among various sections of society.

8. Role of Media in India
The first print communication named Bengal Gazett, was started in 1780 by J.A.Hickey. It was popularly known as “Calcutta Advertiser”.
The East India Company took several steps to prevent the printing of Bengal Gazettee and finally closed it down in
But this laid foundation for free press in India.
Print media was also started in other parts of the country: Indian Gazette in 1780, Calcutta Gazette in 1784, Bengal Journal in 1785, The Madras Courier in 1785 and Mumbai Herald in 1789.
In 1818, Lord Hasting changed the policy of strict censorship, which resulted into evolution of a number of newspapers in India.
In 1843, first vernacular (language) newspaper named ‘Mangalura Samachara’ was published.
This initiated evolution of vernacular newspapers in many other languages in the country.

9. Role of Media in India
Amrit Bazar Patrika in Bengali is the oldest and most popular paper in Bengali.
In 1867, first Comprehensive Press Act was enacted by British Government. This act was a result of efforts of Sir Thomas Munro and Sir Metcalfe.
This Act was named as Press and Books Registration Act. This act is still in force with amendments done over the time period.
After independence, freedom of speech and expression became one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by constitution.
The concept of Right to Information is the basic right that includes realisation of all other rights.
In a case in 1986, The Supreme Court of India declared that State has power to take preventive steps to stop misuse of freedom of speech and expression in public interest. But any preventive measures that prevent the ideas of press to publish constitutes as a serious encroachment on the right of freedom of speech and expression.
But at the same time, it is the duty of press not to publish any false news items.

10. Role of New Technologies in Media Advocacy
Transformation: New technologies like Mobiles, Internet, Social Networking sites, Skype, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube etc. are transforming human rights advocacy.
Technologies of globalized world: These technologies are amplifying information about human right abuses and humanitarian crises and have helped in creating a global human rights community.
Initiate Quick Action: Compelling messages shared on powerful media can initiate quick action.
Legitimate: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also declares the fundamental Right to seek, receive and impart information through any media.

11. Role of New Technologies in Media Advocacy
Digital Freedom: Research conducted by Human Rights Center on advocacy recognizes the importance of digital freedom for democracy and protection and promotion of human rights.
Effectiveness: Effectiveness of media advocacy depends upon timely, accurate and reliable information; powerful messaging and free access to media. All these features are present in the new technologies mentioned above. So these are more effective and efficient in their role play.