Africa: Public Interest Media Fund Launched to Safeguard Press Freedom, Democracy

At the 2022 Paris Peace Forum, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna reaffirmed France's commitment to IFPIM following President Macron's endorsement of the Fund. France will host the International Fund's headquarters in Paris and provide up to €15 million in support to the Fund for between 2022 and 2024. The IFPIM aims for the fund to support low and middile income countries while forging a sustainable future for global media ecosystems.

According to the IFPIM, only 0.3% of overseas development assistance — around U.S.$430 million — goes to supporting media globally. The non-governmental organisation adds that, amid political threats to journalists and independent reporters, only 13% of the world's population have access to free media.

Co-chaired by Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize winner and co-founder and CEO of Rappler, and Mark Thompson, former president and CEO of The New York Times Company, its mission is to ensure a complete shift in how public interest media is resourced, with the greater of ensuring it is independent, inclusive and resilient.

"When independent media is weakened, it impacts all of society and threatens democracy. Corruption can be expected to rise. Violent extremism — often fueled by corruption — finds more fertile ground. Social cohesion is diminished, particularly where media falls into the hands of those who co-opt it to advance their own political or factional agendas. Conflict and instability become more likely.

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