Introduction to IMS

Who we are

International Media Support (IMS) is a non-profit organisation working to support local media in countries affected by armed conflict, human insecurity and political transition. In more than 50 countries worldwide, IMS helps to strengthen professional journalism and ensure that media can operate in challenging circumstances.

Why we work

Freedom of Expression and a free press are key elements in the democratic development of a country. To achieve this, IMS works to enable media to reduce conflict, strengthen democracy and bring about dialogue.

How we work

IMS works in close partnership with local media and media support organisations nationally as well as internationally to identify and react rapidly and flexibly to the needs of local media. We seek to address all aspects of the media sector from media laws to skills training and the protection of journalists.

What we do

IMS works to promote freedom of expression and helps media workers fulfill their tasks by:

• Providing safety and protection for journalists
• Advocating media rights and monitoring violations
• Promoting fair media laws and media reforms
• Supporting community, exiled and alternative media
• Providing technical support and building skills
• Organising specialised training for media workers
• Monitoring media content to promote fair and balanced media coverage
• Partnering likeminded media professionals within and across borders to promote knowledge exchange and cooperation

IMS organises its work according to three thematic areas of engagement:  media and conflict covering activities in countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas; media and democracy activities in countries in transition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; and media and dialogue activities mainly covering the Arab world and Iran.

Where we work

Our efforts are focused on supporting media in countries where armed conflict, human insecurity and political transition stops them from working safely and freely.

In Afghanistan, Sudan and Zimbabwe, IMS provides training and expertise in safety of media workers and conflict-sensitive reporting. In Ukraine IMS works on media reform and coordinates activities aimed at strengthening media. In Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, West Africa and in the Arab world we support local journalists in producing investigative journalism.

In the Arab region, IMS monitors media coverage during elections together with human rights organisations. In Sri Lanka and Burma IMS supports community and exiled media. In the Maldives, IMS is working towards Freedom of Expression principles for "new media".

Organisation and board members

IMS is an international non-profit organisation based in Copenhagen established in 2001 in the wake of the tragic events in Rwanda and former Yugoslavia. It is  governed by a board according to the bylaws of the organisation and headed by Mr. Jesper Højberg, Executive Director.

Members of the board:

Mr. Andrew Puddephat, Chairman of the IMS Board and Director of Global Partners & Associates, UK
Ms. Ann-Magrit Austenå, Secretary General of NOAS (Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers), Norway
Mr. Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, President of the Danish Union of Journalists, Denmark 
Ms. Annelie Ewers, Head of Further Education of Journalists, Sweden
Ms. Anne-Marie Dohm, Principal, Danish School of Journalism, Denmark 
Mr. Holger Rosendal, Head of Legal Department, Danish Newspaper Publisher's Association, Denmark 
Ms. Charlotte Flindt Pedersen, Deputy Director, Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark 
Mr. Lars Møller, journalist, Head of IMS advisory council, Denmark
Mr. Edetean Ojo, Executive Director, media Rights Agenda, Nigeria
Mr. Gene Kimmelman, Chief Council for Competition Policy and Intergovernmental Relations at the Office of the Assistant Attorney General, US 
Mr. Miklós Haraszti, Adjunct Professor at the School of International & Public Affairs of Columbia Law School, New York, US

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