The New Media Advocacy Project (N-Map) combines legal expertise with cutting edge communication tools to strengthen human rights and social justice work. We help advocates throughout the world tell their stories in more compelling and powerful ways—to tip the balance in the toughest cases and campaigns.
Human rights advocates and social entrepreneurs face enormous challenges: deeply entrenched social issues, over-resourced opponents and competitors, as well as hostile or risk-averse courts, legislatures, and funders. This equation means the usual tools are not enough. N-Map uses advocates' greatest tool—their stories—to help meet those challenges. Our innovative mix of legal and media knowledge helps to bring those stories to life, and to use them effectively in courtrooms, legislatures, communities, and the public.
See some recent examples of our work below, and contact us to learn more about what we do.
Defending the Right to Counsel in the United States
In 1963, the Supreme Court, in Gideon v Wainwright, ruled that every criminal defendant is entitled to a lawyer. 50 years later, the United States has not lived up to the great promise of the Gideon case. Although there are many dedicated, talented, and tireless defense lawyers working heroically in challenging conditions, the overall system has failed profoundly to provide adequate counsel for many defendants.
N-Map produced this short documentary for our wonderful client, the Constitution Project, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Gideon and to illuminate the current state of public defender systems. The goal of the piece is to commemorate Gideon’s case, and show the long road ahead in fixing our broken criminal justice system. The film had its first screening at the Department of Justice, introduced by Attorney General Eric Holder, and will be screened at numerous venues around the country.
Breaking the Wall of Impunity
N-Map and the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) co-produced two videos to advocate for reopening cases related to crimes committed under the military dictatorship in Uruguay (1973- 1985) and bring truth and justice for families of the disappeared, as well as victims of torture and rape.
This video, called Breaking Down the Wall of Impunity, is an 11-minute piece which provides an analysis of the existing barriers to truth and justice in Uruguay. It includes interviews with leading politicians, academics, journalists, family members and victims themselves.
These videos hope to encourage the entire nation to confront its past for the possibility of a better future.
The Gender Justice Uncovered Awards 2013
Billions of women around the world are still fighting for equal rights. Women’s Link Worldwide’s Gender Justice Uncovered Awards highlights the fact that in every country, regardless of its political system, culture or religion, what judges say has a tremendous influence on the day-to-day lives of people. Whether focused on reproductive rights, gender violence or discrimination, the Awards raise awareness about the influence court decisions have on women and their families and communities, and enable average citizens to help in promoting human rights.
In 2013, N-Map produced a short video to promote the Awards using animated storytelling to expose the importance of judicial decisions, and to encourage discussion and public participation in nominating and voting on cases. The Gender Justice Uncovered Awards tells every court, in every country, that we are watching.