Happy holidays from the International Press Institute (IPI), headquartered in Vienna, Austria, but fighting diligently for press freedom around the world.

We all know the importance of press freedom; in fact, many of us have sacrificed greatly in the fight for freedom of expression and a free press. This year alone there have been several great successes in countries around the world that have either passed Freedom of Information laws or repealed criminal defamation.

But we still have a long way to go. Still, 17 states in the United States have criminal defamation, and all of the English-speaking Caribbean and most countries in Europe still have criminal defamation on their books.

Going into a New Year, there remain a myriad number of journalists behind bars – separated from their family, friends and colleagues during this festive holiday season.

While we believe that press freedom is a pillar of democracy, unfortunately not all states or nations subscribe to that ideal. And that is why we need your help.

A threat to a free press anywhere is a threat to  press freedom everywhere. Here at IPI we refuse to look the other way while our colleagues and their families are threatened and jailed and sometimes murdered for doing their job. We hope you feel the same way.

Did you know that 102 journalists were killed in 2011? And that seven of them were from Europe? 36 were from the Americas, 30 were from North Africa and the Middle East, 17 from Asia, two from Australia and nine were from sub-Saharan Africa.

These attacks on journalism and press freedom are unacceptable. Please join us in the fight to bring true freedom of expression and press freedom to every corner of the globe and to assist our colleagues globally in upholding the standards of the journalistic profession.

We need your support today; right now. Please make a financial contribution today in the amount of €10, €20, €50, €100. No amount is too small.

We are also ever eager to grow our network. Help us in our fight. Click here to join IPI now. 

Together, we can change the world!