Freedom House

Freedom House is a US-based non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights..

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

Freedom House, a bipartisan organisation established in 1941, is “founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people; the rule of law prevails; and freedoms of expression, association, and belief, as well as respect for the rights of women, minorities and historically marginalized groups, are guaranteed.

We speak out against the main threats to democracy and empower citizens to exercise their fundamental rights through a combination of analysis, advocacy, and direct support to frontline defenders of freedom, especially those working in closed authoritarian societies. 

Freedom House produces research and reports on a number of core thematic issues related to democracy, political rights and civil liberties.” These include the Freedom in the World, Freedom on the Net, Nations in Transit country report series and several special reports. 

“The Organization has its headquarters office in Washington, D.C. and research operations in New York City. In addition, it maintains approximately a dozen field offices throughout the world . 

“Freedom House’s non-partisan Board of Trustees is comprised of prominent business and labor leaders, former diplomats and senior government officials, scholars, and journalists” 

Funding:

Freedom House relies on US federal government grants and contributions from private companies, foundations and individuals. The US government provides a substantial percentage of the annual budget. The production of the report “Freedom in the World receives no governmental funding”  while Freedom on the Net is currently funded by the US State Department, Google, the New York Community Trust and Yahoo and funding for Nations in Transit stems from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) 

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: all countries

Thematic focus:

Freedom in the World assesses the situation relating to political rights and civil liberties . Freedom on the Net covers obstacles to Internet access, limits on content and violations of user rights. Nations in Transit researches “democracy in the 29 formerly communist countries from Central Europe to Central Asia”, assessing seven categories: “National Democratic Governance, Local Democratic Governance, Electoral Process, Independent Media, Civil Society, Judicial Framework and Independence, and Corruption”