Our governance structure

ARTICLE 19 is established through a number of international and regional offices and affiliates.

The organs of ARTICLE 19 International are:

  • The General Assembly;
  • The International Board;
  • The Financial and General Purpose Committee
  • The Governance Sub-Committee
  • The International Office.

About the General Assembly

Among the primary responsibilities of the General Assembly are the setting of ARTICLE 19 International’s vision, mission and core values and recommending Trustees for appointment to the International Board and any other members to other governance bodies.   The GA reviews the performance of the International Board, reviews the annual accounts of ARTICLE 19; and

approves the International Board’s report of the activities of ARTICLE 19 and ARTICLE 19 International.

About the International Board

The International Board has a dual function, both as a board of trustees of ARTICLE 19 and as the governing body of ARTICLE 19 International.  The primary functions of the International Board are to focus on strategy and approve ARTICLE 19 International’s Integrated Strategic Plan including its financial strategy.  It also monitors compliance of all Affiliate Members, Regional Offices and the International Office with ARTICLE 19 International organizational principles.

The Board is also responsible for evaluating ARTICLE 19’s International’s performance against its agreed strategies and plans; holding Affiliate Members, Regional Offices and the International Office and other bodies accountable; and for appointing the Executive Director who is responsible under its direction for the conduct of the affairs of ARTICLE 19 and ARTICLE 19 International.

About the  Financial and General Purposes Committee

The FGPC, established by the International Board, is responsible for overseeing ARTICLE 19 Internationals financial, Human Resources and Administrative operations. The FGPC is made up of four members, including the Chair and the treasurer of the International Board.

About the International Governance Committee

Known as the Governance Sub-Committee (GSC), this committee reports and advises the International Board on questions relating to ARTICLE 19’s international governance policies, procedures and processes.  Among its many responsibilities the GSC monitors compliance by the General Assembly, International Board, International Office, Affiliate Member Boards and Offices, and other bodies to ARTICLE 19’s international organizational principles as outlined in all relevant governance documents.  

The GSC also identifies and recommends new International Board Members to the General Assembly for onward recommendation for appointment by the International Board.

About the  International Office

ARTICLE 19 operates an International Office from London.  Its role is to implement the strategies and operations of ARTICLE 19, subject to the directions of the International Board and the General Assembly.

For more information about our governance structure you can review our “Good Governance Manual” here.

Our Trustees

Our Trustees provide the organisation with ongoing advice on their areas of expertise, which cover finance,  policy, charities, and human resources.  

Trustees 2017-2018

  • Paddy Coulter (Chair), Director, Oxford Global Media, UK
  • Galina Arapova (Vice Chair), Director, Mass Media Defence Centre, Russia
  • Nigel Saxby-Soffe (Treasurer), UK
  • Malak Poppovic, Senior Advisor, Conectas Direitos Humanos, Brazil
  • Evan Harris, Free speech campaigner, UK
  • Arturo Franco, Economist, UK
  • Jennifer Robinson, Director of Legal Advocacy, Bertha Foundation, UK
  • Kamel Labidi, Journalist, Tunisia
  • Tamar Ghosh, CEO, Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, UK
  • Peter Greste, Journalist, Australia
  • Jacob Jiel Akol, Journalist, UK
  • Frank Ledwidge, Lecturer, Barrister and former military intelligence officer, UK
  • Gayathry Venkiteswaran, Former Executive Director, Southeast Asian Press Alliance, Thailand

Our funders

ARTICLE 19 is able to defend freedom of expression and freedom of information through the kind support of a range of donors.

Our donors are mentioned throughout the website. We are particularly grateful to a number of long-term benefactors, whose consistent support enables us to deliver innovative and sustainable impact. These include:

Angelica Foundation
Embassy of Canada in Senegal
Danish International Development Agency (Danida)
DW Akademie
European Commission
Ford Foundation
Freedom House
Fritt Ord
Embassy of Germany in Bangladesh
Guardian Foundation
Hivos
Embassy of Ireland in Mexico
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
National Endowment for Democracy
Natural Resources Governance Institute
Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norwegian Press Association
Open Society Foundations
Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA)
UK Department for International Development (DFID)
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
United States Department of State (USDoS)
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

We are always grateful to receive new supporters and would be delighted to hear from you. If you would like to support us or learn more about our work please contact our fundraising team on +44 20 7324 2500 or by email fundraising@article19.org