"Indigenous Peoples have been excluded from accessing media for many reasons, including their geographic location, languages, and legal barriers. Indigenous Peoples living in isolated areas have little physical access tu urban-centred media. Similarly, a lack of awareness of human rights, freedoms, ... and the right to access information on State and municipal services contributes to obstacles. Indigenous journalists work in difficult conditions in remote areas, and are often the only mediums informing their communities on rights violations and cultural, environmental, and social issues, which would otherwise be ignored by other media sources. Although all journalists face similar threats, it is often indigenous journalists and communicators who are most impacted, as in most cases they work in informal settings in rural areas that are inaccessible to the mainstream media and even to government officials. They often lack access to protection mechanisms and justice. Indigenous journalists are generally not formally recognized as journalists because they do not have formal university training or they are not affiliated with a major press or news agency. This additional safety risk often goes unreported and is overlooked by both government and international agencies. In this regard, the Indigenous Media and Communication Caucus conducted and published this study in order to better understand the status of indigenous media globally, and to bring the problems faced by indigenous communit media broadcasts to a larger audience. The aim is for this study to be the basis of international advocacy in international forums, including the United Nations. This report will also be helpful in advocating for the right to freedom of expression within legal frameworks, as well as in advocating for better laws and policies to access community or non-commercial radio frequencies." (About htis report, page 5) more

"This reports examines the situation of freedom of expression of indigenous journalists in four countries and analyzes data, where available, of Indigenous Peoples’ access to mechanisms charged with ensuring their safety. We present grassroots information from Nepal in English, and from Guatemala, ... Honduras, and Mexico in Spanish, along with general recommendations for improving the specific experience of Indigenous journalists and community communicators. Please note this information is far from exhaustive and represents only situations that were brought to this organization’s attention." (Introduction, page 1) more