The London-based MLDI will work "to strengthen media legal defense capacity around the world by supporting initiatives to enhance the legal knowledge, skills and effectiveness of those working in the field."

MLDI says it can provide support through:

* payment of legal fees
* assistance in accessing free legal advice
* taking on cases in international tribunals and supervisory bodies
* support of independent observation of court proceedings
* support of strategic litigation
* providing of opportunities for training in media law and litigation and
* support in the exchange of information and experience among media lawyers

Even before its formal launch, the MLDI had already made its presence felt in Southeast Asia.

Coordinating with SEAPA and the Southeast Asia Media Legal Defense Network, the MLDI had provided support for defending defamation suits in Thailand and the Philippines. It also supported lawyer fees for the prosecution of suspects behind the murder of a journalist in the Philippines. MLDI and the SEA Media Legal Defense Network had also collaborated to provide trainings for lawyers, as well as trial observation missions, in Malaysia and Thailand.

Most recently, MLDI supported the Second Conference of Media Defense Lawyers in Southeast Asia, held last October in Cebu City.

MLDI's Executive Director, Gugulethu Moyo has long been involved in media and human rights issues, and has had more than 10 years of experience in a variety of senior not-for-profit and business sector positions.

To learn more about MLDI, please visit their website at http://www.mediadefence.org .

SOURCE

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (http://www.seapa.org) is a coalition of press freedom advocacy groups from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Established in November 1998, it is the only regional network with the specific mandate of promoting and protecting press freedom throughout Southeast Asia. SEAPA is composed of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (Indonesia), the Jakarta-based Institute for the Study of the Free Flow of Information (ISAI), the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and the Thai Journalists Association. SEAPA also has partners in Malaysia, Cambodia, East Timor, and exiled Burmese media, and undertakes projects and programs for press freedom throughout the region.