As 2023 comes to an end, we would like to take a moment to honour and pay tribute to courageous journalists and media workers around the world. We remember those who have lost their lives and those who continue to risk their lives and freedoms to report on stories of violence, crises, and emergencies.

The unsettling truth is that journalists are facing unprecedented risks. In many regions human rights are routinely violated, entire cities shattered, and elections are characterised by misinformation, manipulation and fraud.

Our own, GFMD, community is faced with an increasing number of crises and emergencies. 

To maximise our collective impact with the limited resources we have, it is essential that we remain informed and well-coordinated. To facilitate this, we kindly ask you to participate in a brief survey.  This will ensure that the GFMD Secretariat has up-to-date information on where our members work and what their capacities are.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support, active engagement, and cooperation during what has been another challenging year for independent media and journalists across the globe.

Yours in solidarity,

GFMD Secretariat team

  THE BRIEFING   

The Network on Governance (GovNet) within the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has launched a consultation (English/Francais) on a set of “Principles for Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment”. 

The Principles aim to provide clear operational guidance as to the ways in which Overseas Development Aid addresses challenges to public interest media and the information environment. 

While the Principles are being informed by widespread consultations led by GFMD and Centre for International Media Assistance (CIMA) with journalism and media development organisations which began in 2021, until now there has not been consultation on the actual text of the principles.

 What are the draft principles? 

1⃣   Increase support to public interest media* and healthy information environments, as a critical response to authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.

2⃣   Take a whole-of-system perspective on supporting the media and information environment to make support more effective and sustainable. 

3⃣   Strengthen local leadership and ownership, empowering media partners as well as other actors in the information environment to meaningfully participate in policies and programmes.

4⃣   Improve coordination of support to the media and information environment, both among different donors and between development and diplomatic efforts to support media freedom.

5⃣   Ensure that assistance does not harm public interest media.

6⃣   Invest in knowledge, research, and learning.

 Why is the OECD DAC’s GovNet embarking on this process now? 

1. As a response to the unprecedented challenges and existential threats to free and independent media and information integrity.
2. In recognition that assistance to media and free flow of information is limited (only 0.3% of Overseas Development Assistance) and remains largely siloed from related fields of development.
3. To test the draft of the Principles with key stakeholders to build consensus, improve the draft, and identify any concerns

1. Gather feedback, inputs and insights from relevant stakeholders to further inform and shape the draft Principles;
2. Ensure inclusivity and transparency in the formulation of the Principles;
3. Build consensus and foster a collaborative approach among stakeholders;
4. Identify potential concerns and opportunities associated with the Principles;
5. Gather inputs on how respective stakeholders see their own role in the implementation of these Principles.

• OECD DAC Member States
• Non-DAC bilateral donors
• Multilaterals (UN, Development Banks)
• Philanthropic organisations
• Expert organisations
• International fora and platforms on media and information environment
• Professional organisations
• Media houses, especially those based in the global South
• Think tanks, academia/research, and policy organisations

• For further details read the draft Principles developed by the OECD DAC’s GovNet in English and French. 

  TOWN SQUARE  

 📢 Survey on data processing and cloud services for newsrooms:  The Emerging Journalism Tech Alliance, spearheaded by GFMD, the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), in collaboration with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), Big Local News, and the Pulitzer Centre, is launching a survey to gain insights into the requirements of various newsrooms and journalism organisations regarding data science, storage, and data processing.

 More context: This consultation survey is designed to gather input on what kind of data work you do, what tools specifically you host or run yourselves, what kind of data is stored in them, what platforms you are using, and any significant cost centres for your organisation. Learn more here.

 How to engage: Access the survey here.The deadline for responding to the survey is 12 January 2024. We are extremely grateful for your time and input! For comments or questions, 
please contact communications@gfmd.info. 

 MORE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

• UN Global Online Consultation to Develop a Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms: The United Nations is developing a Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms. It seeks to provide a concerted global response to information threats that is firmly rooted in human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and opinion and access to information. This stakeholder consultation will be crucial in shaping the development of a UN code of conduct for information integrity online. To participate in the consultations, please register at https://forms.office.com/e/rRti1sq2iv by no later than 3 January 2024 to receive event details.
• Hosting Regional Dialogues at GDC Forum 2024: The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) seeks to employ an organization for the assignment entitled: Global Democracy Coalition Forum 2024. The services include hosting one of the regional legs of the Global Democracy Coalition Forum 2024. Proposals should be submitted as a comprehensive package, including a Letter of Interest, the Proposal, and a Brief Budget, by 8 January 2024 to e.ballestebuxo@idea.int, copying a.koviazina@idea.int.
• International Workshop Agreement (IWA) on Unique Media Identifier (UMId) for distribution channels and brands: The Global Media Registry (GMR) and DIN are pleased to invite interested stakeholders from public and private sector organizations worldwide to participate in the ISO International Workshop Agreement (IWA) on Unique Media Identifier (UMId) for distribution channels and brands. Please fill in the registration form and return it at the latest by 8 February 2024 to the secretariat: gregor.roschkowski@din.de. The Workshop will be open to registered participants only.

  WHAT TO READ THIS MONTH