"We stand united in our commitment to democracy, the rule of law, good governance, freedom of expression, and the protection of human rights."

Coolum Declaration, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Australia 2002

The CPU vigorously and successfully defends freedom of the press. Through quiet diplomacy and a network of members and friends including publishers, managers, senior editors, and human rights organisations the CPU has played an effective role in the intervention of abuse against journalists and press freedom.

Our stance on press freedom and press-related human rights issues is well established and recognised by heads of governments throughout the world, while close links with these government have led to successful outcomes in specific cases.

The CPU works in close harmony with other Commonwealth and international organisations, in the pursuit of freedom of expression and protection of human rights for the press throughout the Commonwealth.

Key areas of Concern:

Safety of journalists is a paramount concern to our organisation and we actively monitor and react to incidents of physical intimidation and harassment. If you have recently been the target of a press freedom violation and want to publicise your case please send your contact details and specifics about your case to cpu@cpu.org.uk

Also if you or your colleagues have been victim to what you think could be a human rights violation please contact our colleagues at the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative www.humanrightsinitiative.org copying this office.

A Monthly Commonwealth Press Freedom Review highlights all the major press freedom violations and victories and is circulated via email. To be included on the monthly email circulation please send your email address to cpu@cpu.org.uk

The CPU Legal Support Programme was launched at the CPU Biennial Conference on 28 February 2003. The programme aims to assist journalists in pre and post-publication law, libel, defamation, and criminal cases.

UK legal advisors have pledged thier support for the programme and have agreed to take up our members' cases on a pro-bono basis. If you are in CPU membership and have a case you would like advice on, please email lindsay@cpu.org.uk for an application form.

Self-Regulation of the press is a highly successful project the CPU has been conducting since 2001. Working closely with the Press Complaints Commission in the UK, we actively encourage the establishment of self-regulatory bodies as opposed to government press councils for the Commonwealth Press.

The CPU report "Imperfect Freedom" is to-date the most comprehensive report on the state of self-regulation of the press in the Commonwealth. The report, written by CPU advisor Ian Beales whose career spans 40 years in journalism, sets out a comprehensive blueprint for self-regulation and disseminates the current level of self-regulation in every Commonwealth country. To download a copy of the report visit www.cpu.org.uk/prfree_self_reg.html#ImperfectFreedom
To contact the author or for more details on self-regulation of the press contact cpu@cpu.org.uk

Ethics are at the heart of professional and responsible journalism, two important tenants of the CPU. We strongly advocate the adoption of Codes of Practice for print journalism and for all journalism-related bodies. For specifics or advice on the Code of Practice please email cpu@cpu.org.uk or to view the UK Code of Practice visit www.pcc.org.uk

Elections and Election reporting are an area of major concern for emerging democracies. The CPU continues to work closely with the Commonwealth Election Monitoring Group at the Secretariat to encourage a better working relationship between monitors, the press and the government. Our most recent election monitoring team travelled to Zimbabwe in 2002. For more information about CPU election monitoring please visit www.cpu.org.uk/prfree_observer_report.html or send us an email cpu@cpu.org.uk