Washington and Lee University Library
Searching These Sites
You can search the contents of the sites on this page by using this Google-based search engine. Important: Use the search box containing the "Google Custom Search" label.
Human Rights Overviews
Highly-respected sources for critiques of human rights, often including media conditions, in individual countries.
- Amnesty InternationalProbably the best-know human rights organization in the world. Use the "Human Rights by country" option.
- Freedom in the WorldAnnual report from Freedom House provides a "comparative assessment of global political rights and civil liberties" in 190 countries. Look for the "Choose" option in the lower right.
- Human Rights WatchAnnual review of human rights practices in countries around the world.
- Indigenous WorldAnnual publication "updates the state of affairs of indigenous peoples around the world and gives an overview of developments in international policies and processes that impact on indigenous peoples." (International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs)
- Nations in Transit"Comprehensive, comparative, and multidimensional study of reform in the former Communist states of Europe and Eurasia."
- Trafficking in Persons ReportAnnual report from the U.S. State Department provides a "global look at the nature and scope of trafficking in persons and the broad range of government actions to confront and eliminate it."
- U. S. Commission on International Religious FreedomIndependent Federal commission "reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations."
- U.S. State Department Human Rights ReportsAnnual reports to Congress covering "internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights" in most countries.
Press Freedom Overviews
These sources often contain information on press conditions in individual countries.
- Committee to Protect JournalistsIndependent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. See the "Countries & Regions" option, near the top of the page.
- Freedom of the Press SurveyFreedom House's "annual survey of media independence in 197 countries and territories." See the country options on the bottom half of the page.
- Media Sustainability IndexIREX encourages development of "institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society," including independent media. The MSI assesses five "objectives" that shape a media system: freedom of speech, professional journalism, plurality of news, business management, and supporting institutions.
- Reporters Without BordersInternational organization monitors press conditions across the world, publicizes abuses, and assists journalists.
- World Press Freedom ReviewAnnual overview from the International Press Institute "examines the state of the media around the world, documenting press freedom violations and major media developments."