IRADA Foundation for Research and Advocacy, hereinafter referred to as “IRADA” is a civil society organization aimed at catalyzing participatory reforms and development through innovative research, proactive policy strategies, and vigorous capacity-building initiatives. Registered as not-for-profit under Section 42 Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the organization endeavors to encourage, promote, sponsor, conduct and/or undertake programmes in the field of policy advocacy, knowledge and capacity building and research.
THEMATIC FOCUS
IRADA, as a non-partisan organization, focuses on promoting a sustainable professional and legal development sector, both public and private, and making a positive difference to the communities and citizenry by becoming a proactive catalyst of effective development strategies through innovative research, proactive policy strategies and sound legal footing. The organization aims at providing advocacy, consultancy, research and development support to government, donors, international institutions, individuals, firms, companies, bodies, trusts, local and international non-government and government organizations, associations; academia and to contribute towards informed inclusive and democratic polity and social development through research, capacity building and public policy advocacy.
Since its establishment, IRADA has undertaken multiple advocacy, research and training initiatives with the support of several local and international development partners. These include research and advocacy on media and Internet regulations and policies, digital rights and online freedoms, media and information literacy (MIL), journalists’ safety legislation, right to information, etc.; baseline surveys, monitoring and evaluation, impact assessment, policy formulation, policy review and analysis on media/law related issues; training related to the right to information, media laws and regulations, journalists’ safety and security, legal and parliamentary reporting, conflict, etc.
ADVISORY BOARD
IRADA is governed by an Advisory Board that provides a strategic direction to the organization and its management for development and implementation of the programs in line with its vision and mission. Mr. Zafarullah Khan, Ms. Myra Imran and Mr. Saroop Ijaz are members of the Board. Detailed profiles of the Board members are given at: https://www.iradapk.org/
IRADA TEAM
IRADA team consists of experts on information technology and digital rights, governance and politics; social and community development; law and human rights; and media freedom and right to information. Profiles of the team are available at: https://www.iradapk.org/
NETWORKS AND ALLIANCES
IRADA works in collaboration with institutions/ organizations such as the National Press Club (NPC), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Women Journalists Association of Pakistan (WJA), Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan (DigiMAP) and Bar Councils of Pakistan. IRADA leads the Alliance for Diversity and Pluralism in Media (ADPM) – a platform for a broad-based and inclusive consultation and advocacy for greater diversity and pluralism in Pakistani media in Pakistan. IRADA is member of several local and international networks as well. These include: FOIA (Freedom of Information Advocates), Coalition Against Disinformation (CAD), Pakistan Journalists Safety Coalition (PJSC), and International Lawyers Assisting Workers (ILAW).
DONORS AND PARTNERS
IRADA has worked with several national and international donor and support organizations and institutions. These include, but not limited to, the followings: UNESCO, International Media Support (IMS), DANIDA, Solidarity Centre (SC) / ILAW, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD), Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) / The Asia Foundation (TAF), Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Freedom Network (FN) and Centre for Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI).
SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Here is the detail of a few of projects implemented by IRADA:
i. Reducing high impunity of crimes against journalists in Pakistan through prosecution and litigating – 2021-23
The project aimed to helping journalists in getting justice through courts by reinforcing operationalization of national protection mechanism (Legal Aid Cell) by enlisting Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) – the apex body of lawyers in the country – and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) – the apex body of working journalists in the country. The project also instituted / filed strategic cases in the high court and supreme court to seek injunctions / directions for establishment of a formal / statutory protection mechanism for journalists’ protection in Pakistan.
ii. Research and Advocacy for Journalists Safety Law – 2017
The project aimed at conducting consultations with the stakeholders across the country to seek recommendations for a draft bill on journalists’ safety. As a result of two phases of consultative process, a model Journalists Safety Bill was prepared and submitted to the lawmakers in 2017.
iii. Facilitating Dialogue and Technical Assistance on Media Regulatory Reforms – 2014-17
This specific grant focused on the issue of media reforms primarily through research and advocacy and establishment of a platform for dialogue and lobbying on media regulation issues as a means of promoting an enabling media environment especially in the provinces. Through extensive consultations with the stakeholders, engagements with the experts and practitioners at local and international level, IRADA reviewed Pakistan’s media legal framework and produced a Model Broadcast Law and a comprehensive agenda for reform in the media related laws in the country.
iv. Promoting decent and safe employment practices for journalists and other media workers in Pakistan- 2014-18
The program built the capacity of Pakistan federal Union of Journalists, Women Journalists of Pakistan, and All Pakistan Newspaper Employees’ Confederation to promote formal employment mechanisms and access to social protections for journalists and media workers as well as provide legal assistance and support that improves journalists’ labor rights and physical security. Under the initiative, IRADA reviewed labour laws and practices in the media sector through engagements and consultations with stakeholders. IRADA produced reports such as:
– Labour Rights in Pakistan: a handbook for CSOs and media outreach highlighting labour issues;
– Labour Rights in Pakistan: a handbook for journalists covering labour issues; and
– Review of employment contracts being practiced in the media sector.
v. Baseline Study of the State of Journalists’ Safety in Pakistan in the Framework of UN Country Level Indicators on Journalists’ Safety – 2013-15
IRADA conducted this baseline study through mapping of country-level UN-developed Journalists Safety Indicators (JSIs) to facilitate an effective implementation of the United Nation’s Plan of Action on Impunity.
vi. Strengthening the Draft of Right to Information (RTI) Law and Raising Voices against Impunity of Journalist Killings – 2013-14
The Project aimed to contribute towards the efforts for an enabling RTI regime, which is essential for the exercise of constitutional guarantees and building capacity of the journalists to use RTI law in investigative reporting as well as against the impunity of killings of journalists.