Media Legal Defence Initiative
THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (AS SET OUT IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, SUBSEQUENT UNITED NATIONS CONVENTIONS AND DECLARATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND LAWS) THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR BY (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) PROTECTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION.
Activities & Mission
THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (AS SET OUT IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, SUBSEQUENT UNITED NATIONS CONVENTIONS AND DECLARATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND LAWS) THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR BY (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) PROTECTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION.
Grants
Media Legal Defence Initiative is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.
- Gives grants to
- organisations and individuals
- Grants paid (2025)
- £354,862
- Who it helps
- other charities or voluntary bodies and other defined groups
- What it supports
- human rights, religious or racial harmony, equality, or diversity
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
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Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
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Country
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £3,371,113 | £2,548,454 | £2,448,382 | £2,082,313 | £1,625,803 | 18 / 4 |
| 2024 | £3,011,724 | £2,961,680 | £2,875,427 | £1,259,654 | £1,056,442 | 20 / 0 |
| 2023 | £2,866,885 | £2,949,701 | £2,843,330 | £1,209,611 | £578,586 | 18 / 0 |
| 2022 | £2,642,048 | £2,289,942 | £2,189,264 | £1,292,428 | £357,500 | 17 / 1 |
| 2021 | £2,092,657 | £1,991,876 | £1,870,023 | £940,322 | £357,500 | 16 / 4 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Media Legal Defence Initiative
What does Media Legal Defence Initiative do?
THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (AS SET OUT IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, SUBSEQUENT UNITED NATIONS CONVENTIONS AND DECLARATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND LAWS) THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR BY (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) PROTECTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION.
How much income did Media Legal Defence Initiative report in 2025?
Media Legal Defence Initiative reported total income of £3.37m and reported expenditure of £2.55m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
When was Media Legal Defence Initiative registered as a charity?
Media Legal Defence Initiative was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 24 March 2009 as charity number 1128789. It has been registered for 17 years.
Who runs Media Legal Defence Initiative?
Media Legal Defence Initiative is governed by a board of 10 trustees. The chair of trustees is Maria Teresa Ronderos Torres. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Media Legal Defence Initiative operate?
Media Legal Defence Initiative operates across 67 areas, including Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan and 64 others. The full list is shown on its profile.
Is Media Legal Defence Initiative a registered charity?
Yes — Media Legal Defence Initiative is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1128789.
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Registry Information
Trustees
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 2 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated