GFMD’s impact in 2025

Related resources:

• An end-of-year message from GFMD’s Executive Director Mira Milosevic
• GFMD’s top publications from 2025

Media Policy and Advocacy

WSIS+20 Review Process (2024–2025)

Throughout the WSIS+20 Review process, culminating in December 2025, GFMD played a sustained advocacy role to ensure that journalism, media independence, and journalist safety were firmly embedded in global digital governance discussions. From early inputs to the Elements Paper and Zero Draft to successive submissions on Revision 1 and Revision 2 of the Outcome Document, and organisation of key convenings, GFMD consistently advanced a human rights-based, multistakeholder approach.

Key priorities included safeguarding media independence, protecting encryption and source confidentiality, strengthening platform accountability, and addressing the risks posed by surveillance and intrusive technologies. Through direct engagement, coordination via the IGF Dynamic Coalition on the Sustainability of Journalism and News Media, and participation in the Global Digital Rights Coalition for WSIS, GFMD helped reinforce the recognition of independent media as a pillar of democratic and trustworthy digital ecosystems.

As a result, key language highlighted in the GFMD submission was incorporated into the final draft of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document just a few days ago, reflecting the impact of this sustained advocacy.

Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4)

Recognising the importance of development financing frameworks for media sustainability, GFMD engaged early in the lead-up to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4). Across 2024 and 2025, GFMD organised policy briefings, developed sector toolkits, and convened discussions with members and partners, alongside targeted outreach to member states and negotiation teams.

As a result of this sustained engagement, the Sevilla Commitment, adopted in July 2025, preserved a reference to the role of media in exposing illicit financial flows—an important acknowledgement of journalism’s contribution to transparency, accountability, and sustainable development.

EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034

In 2025, through the EU Media Advocacy Group, GFMD mobilised its network to influence discussions around the European Union’s proposed Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, recognising its long-term implications for media funding. Starting from a collectively drafted position paper, GFMD mobilised the network to publish a joint open letter signed by 150 organisations calling for robust, strategic, and sustained EU investment in free and independent media. Towards the end of the year, GFMD coordinated the submission of key recommendations for the AgoraEU and Global Europe instruments.

The coordination efforts that will continue towards 2026 and 2027 are aimed at ensuring that media development remains a funding priority and that independent journalism is recognised as a foundational public good essential to democracy and informed societies.

Rapid Response: USAID Funding Freeze

In January 2025, GFMD mobilised its members to share intelligence and data following the suspension of USAID funding. GFMD led a coordinated sector response through emergency meetings, advocacy efforts, newsletters, and direct communications involving more than 130 participants.

An urgent call to governments, multilateral institutions, and philanthropies to support independent media was launched and endorsed by 170 press freedom, journalism support, free expression, and media development organisations.

Advocating on the Global Stage

Throughout 2025, GFMD represented independent media and media development across major global and regional platforms, including WSIS+20, UNESCO World Press Freedom Day, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the International Journalism Festival (IJF), iMEdD, Splice Beta, the Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC), the 18th ARIJ Forum, and M20. 

Through these engagements, GFMD amplified the collective voice of the media development community and ensured that media freedom, sustainability, and public-interest journalism remained visible and influential in global policy and professional debates.

Growing Global Community

In 2025, GFMD’s network grew to 224 members across more than 70 countries, strengthening our collective ability to advocate for independent media and freedom of expression worldwide.

Learn how to become a GFMD member

Knowledge Sharing

9 policy briefings published in 2025. The biggest publication of the year was Who will tell the story if no one is left in the newsrooms? We also published two new media funding mapping reports:

• Mapping of media assistance and journalism support programmes in the Levant region
• Mapping of media assistance and journalism support programmes in the Asia, Pacific and Oceania region

Explore all GFMD briefings

180,000+ Users of GFMD Online Resources

More people than ever are using GFMD’s website and online resources to access research, tools, and insights from across the media development community.

Subscribe to our newsletters and mailing lists to stay connected

 📢  STAY CONNECTED & GET INVOLVED IN 2026

GFMD is a network built on collaboration, shared knowledge, and collective action. There are many ways to engage with and support GFMD work in 2026:

• Join the GFMD network as a member to connect with media development organisations worldwide and contribute to collective advocacy and learning.
• Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletters, including MediaDev Insider and Bottom Line, for analysis, case studies, and practical resources.
• Connect with the GFMD community by making sure you are on GFMD’s regional and thematic mailing lists.
• Share your experience and expertise by contributing insights, case studies, or policy perspectives from your region or area of work. Email helpdesk-impact@gfmd.info  for more information or to submit a request. 
• Participate in consultations, policy meetings, and events, helping shape common positions on media policy, funding, and sustainability. For any additional information, contact Laura Becana Ball at lbecanaball@gfmd.info. 
• Amplify our work by sharing GFMD publications and calls within your own networks.

Together, we can continue strengthening independent media as a public good.