Vereinigung für die Demokratie (VD) e.V. [Association for Democracy] is a non-profit organization based in Berlin. VD assists and manages independent media outlets to execute their right for freedom of speech, in order to inform people in societies where information and freedom of speech are compromised. The association runs and develops independent media outlets in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Our digital media platforms Meydan TV in Azerbaijan and ROMB in Russia represent a counterweight to the state narrative through investigations, engaged reporting and advocacy journalism, and in doing so, have proven to influence politics and people’s lives in a positive way. We believe that independent media and fact-based professional journalism is a decisive basis for the political development of all societies and these values are what drives our work.