GFMD’s top publications from 2025

GFMD briefings

Throughout 2025, GFMD published a series of policy briefings aimed at informing global debates, supporting advocacy efforts, and equipping the media development community with timely analysis and recommendations:

• Protecting media freedom online: Old challenges, new solutions (February 2025)
• Who will tell the story if no one is left in the newsrooms? (February 2025)
• World Press Freedom Day 2025: Journalism at risk, democracy at stake (May 2025)
• Media policy and development in Africa: Key trends and latest updates (October 2025)
• GFMD’s engagement on the World Summit on Information Society +20 Review process (October 2025)

Member Spotlight series

As part of GFMD’s 20th anniversary celebrations, our Member Spotlight Series highlighted the inspiring work of GFMD members across regions and contexts:

• GK
• African Women in Media (AWiM)
• Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ)
• Digihub Africa
• Impact Hub Phnom Penh
• Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC)

Case studies from the MediaDev Insider newsletter

These case studies explored the real-world challenges and innovations shaping independent media today:

• From policy to action: Addressing the challenges of African women in media
• Why investigative journalism needs long-term investment: Insights from OCCRP
• Mizzima Media Group: Sustaining journalism amid conflict and funding cuts
• Palestinian media’s fight for survival: PMTF, PMSCG, and Wattan Media Network case studies

Articles from the Bottom Line newsletter

Our Bottom Line series examined emerging funding trends and practical strategies for media sustainability:

• Funding without a newsroom: How freelancers navigate grants built for organisations
• Funding for AI in media: A practical look at what’s actually available
• Funding environmental journalism: Where’s the money?
• Funding for niche media
• Reimagining funding for journalism: Key takeaways from IJF 2025
• Sustaining independent media: Crowdfunding Toolkit for resilient journalism

Want to contribute to GFMD’s publications in the year ahead? We welcome ideas, insights, and collaboration from across our global network — contact the GFMD team to learn more.