Young Hollywood: Made in the Shades

For immediate release
April 30, 2007

May 3, World Press Freedom Day

Auction of 2007 Golden Globe gift bags for the benefit of Reporters Without Borders

Reporters Without Borders will auction off 15 official gift bags from the Golden Globe Awards Ceremony on eBay. The bags were donated to the international press freedom organization by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which holds the famous awards ceremony every year. The bags are black leather Dooney & Bourke signature brand and packed with a full size Calvin Klein Euphoria for men fragrance, 3.4oz assorted Godiva Chocolatier chocolates, Papyrus stationary, and a complete fashion guidebook from InStyle: InStyle instant style: Your Season-by-Season Guide for Work and Weekend." Included is a certificate to verify the authenticity of the bags, which have a retail value of $599 each.

The auction will begin on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, and last a week. Proceeds will go to Reporters Without Borders, to help fund its activities to promote press freedom.

Reporters Without Borders is based in Paris and also operates from two locations in the US under the 501c3 not-for-profit status. Donations are tax-deductible.

Press freedom is in jeopardy now more than ever. Nearly one-third of the world's population still lives in countries where press freedom does not exist. In just these last few months, international tensions have placed journalists and press freedoms in ever greater jeopardy. The figures are alarming: 132 journalists are currently behind bars for a picture or for one word too many. Further, last year was the deadliest year for the press in more than a decade, with 82 journalists and media professionals killed. Reporters Without Borders has been waging a daily battle for the last 20 years to defend the basic right to inform and to be informed. It strives to obtain the release of jailed journalists, to improve the safety of reporters operating in war zones, and to bring those who murder journalists to justice. The organization also provides lawyers for press trials, supports an independent media, and lobbies for dec riminalization of press offenses.

Reporters Without Borders is to also publicize a list of new "predators of press freedom," men and women who directly or indirectly attack journalists, for World Press Freedom Day. Most of these culprits are top-level politicians (presidents, ministers, kings, and others) but they also include militia chiefs, leaders of armed groups, and drug-traffickers. They usually answer to no one for their serious attacks on freedom of expression and failure to punish them is one of the greatest threats to the media today. Reporters Without Borders will also present facilities to improve the safety of journalists and host a conference in partnership with New York Women in Film & Television on, "Reporters at risk: How they get the story," to be held at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism (email rwb_ny@rsf.org for more information).

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association was founded more than 60 years ago by a group of Los Angeles-based journalists working for overseas publications. Its annual Golden Globe awards have enabled the non-profit organization to donate more than $6.5 million in the past 12 years to entertainment-related charities, as well as to funding scholarships and other programs for future film and television professionals. See: http://www.hfpa.org.

Lucie Morillon
Reporters Without Borders
Washington Director
Southern Railway Building
1500 K Street, N.W., Suite 600
Washington DC, 20005
Tel: 202 256 5613
Email: lucie.morillon@rsf.org
Web: www.rsf.org

With Reporters Without Borders, don't wait to be deprived of news to stand up and fight for it.

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