Call for an increase of European support for free media
They are directly and severely impacted by the current US administration's decision to freeze financial support to independent media.
Therefore, we - a coalition of media organizations concerned with media freedom, journalists' safety, and every person's right to access unbiased and fact-based information – call on the European Union and European states to step up their support for independent media.
Robust financial and political support are urgently needed to ensure that independent public interest media can survive this imminent crisis.
Reliable information saves lives, fosters accountability and empowers people to make informed decisions. Without it, people in all parts of the world will be adversely affected, and not only those living in low- and middle-income countries. Wherever reliable, independent media are weakened, propaganda and vested interests inevitably fill the gap.
We are facing the risk of a mass silencing of independent media that will have an immense social impact and further imperil the global development agenda and international peace.
Free, pluralistic and reliable public interest media are indispensable for democracy and human progress. At this critical time, comprehensive European support is vital to their survival.
Initiated by the following European media development organizations:
CFI (France), DW Akademie (Germany), Fondation Hirondelle (Switzerland) and International Media Support (Denmark).
As of 5th March 2025 supported by 128 organizations. You can find the complete list below.
OUR REQUEST:
If you agree with this statement - and your organization would like to support this cause openly please endorse it by entering your name under this link, until April 18, 2025:
https://form.jotform.com/250564700204345
Read the call here in French, Spanish and German.
N.B. In January 2025 GFMD had started a complementary initiative: Urgent call for governments, multilateral institutions, and philanthropies to support independent media and journalism where you have the opportunity to support and sign anonymously. Both initiatives go hand-in-hand and your support for both calls is very much appreciated.
List of supporting organizations:
- Odipo Dev
- Association Nigérienne des Web-Activistes (ANIWEB)
- Forum marocain des alternatives sud (FMAS)
- Gorara arts & cultures
- فضاء ورزازات للاعلام والتنشيط الثقافي, Space of Media and Cultural Animation in Ouarzazate
- MADRAJ
- Africa Uncensored
- 7amleh – Arab Center for Social Media Advancement
- gluthfilm
- taz Panter Stiftung
- Faro Foundation Mongolia NGO
- Afrikarabia
- Media Monitoring Africa
- SEENPM (South East European Network for Professionalization of Media)
- Albanian Center for Quality Journalism
- Journal Œil Du Kivu
- Batè fm kankan (Guinée)
- Center for Investigative Reporting (CIN)
- News Agency KosovaPress
- MINA-Montenegrin Independent News Agency
- Media Voice
- 360 Степени (360 Degrees)
- Ecole publique de journalisme de Tours (EPJT)
- Modern journalism development center
- Itara Burundi
- Public Media Alliance
- Mizzima Media
- SLOBODEN PECAT DOO Skopje
- Shwe Phee Myay News Agency- SPM
- The Palestinian Platform for Fact-Checking and Media Literacy - Kashif
- Anhor.uz
- Sawab Lebanese Factchecking Platform
- Media Action Nepal
- KirkukNow Media Outlet
- World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)
- Maharat Foundation
- Myitkyina News Journal
- Tribal News Network
- Khonumthung Media Group (KMG)
- Enab Baladi
- Arta for Media and Development
- Correio Sabiá
- ABO Local Media Development Agency
- Samir Kassir Foundation
- EUobserver
- Roar Global
- The What If
- High Asia Media Group
- COMUNICARES
- Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership & Rights Activation
- Rozana for media
- Annir Initiative
- Radio Television Niksic, Montenegro
- Kiripost Media
- MiCT
- Development Media Group (DMG)
- Daraj Media
- She Checks
- ARIJ Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism
- Belarusian Investigative Center
- Gender and Media Connect
- FAMILY AND CHILDHOOD PROTECTION SOCIETY
- Information for Development Trust
- Palestaine News Network PNN
- Amhara Region Media Association
- Zimbabwe Centre for Media and Information Literacy
- Africa News Channel
- Daily Nawa-I-AhmedpurSharqia Pakistan
- avinjo gGmbH
- Public Journalism Club
- Media Council of Mongolia
- Peace Journalism Lab, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
- Jordan Media Institute
- FactCheckZW
- Chin World Media
- Media Consulting Foundation
- Afghanistan Journalists Support Organisation (AJSO)
- Community Podium
- Khmer Youth Association (KYA)
- Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Network Albania
- Communication and Media Promotion Organization
- Western News
- Dawei Watch
- Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association
- WOMEN'S MEDIA CENTRE OF CAMBODIA
- The Irrawaddy
- BBC Media Action
- Magamba Cultural Activists Network Trust
- Rural Media Network Pakistan
- Africa Uncensored
- deCheckers vzw
- Mediawijs
- FoNet Ltd / FoNet News Agency
- Les Échos du Niger
- le regard. Info
- Shujaa-Initiative
- Myaelatt Athan News Agency
- Centre for Law and Democracy
- Panos Institute Southern Africa
- Nyugat Media and World Wide Web Association (publishing several news sites)
- POWER99 Foundation
- Foundation IDEA Southeast Europe
- Vidi Vaka Storytelling Studio
- Foundation Vidi Vamo
- OCCRP Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
- IRADA Foundation / Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development
- European Journalism Center foundation
- Making Waves
- Media Institute of Southern Africa
- Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ)
- Maison de la Presse du Mali
- Réseau des associations d'élèves et étudiants du septentrion
- Instituto de Prensa y Libertad de Expresión IPLEX Costa Rica
- Association des Blogueurs du Burkina
- Creamos Guatemala
- Ojoconmipisto
- International Federation of Journalists - Asia-Pacific
- Factual / Distintas Latitudes
- Red Periodistas de a Pie
- Africa Women Journalism Project
- The Battlegound
- Benbere
- Radio mampita
- Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
- Diaa foundation - Tahaqaq Morocco
- Media Development Center, Tunis
- Uusi Hanko
- European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
