WAN-IFRA recognises the critical importance of media literacy in sustaining trust in independent journalism and strengthening democratic participation. WAN-IFRA is committed to advancing media and information literacy (MIL) among all audiences in the digital era.

To fulfill its purpose of supporting the news media and the entire news publishing industry, WAN-IFRA sets out to advance media literacy, particularly news literacy, within both the news publishing industry and among audiences, as a means to foster critical engagement with journalism, build public trust in independent journalism, and strengthen its role as a foundation for a sustainable news market and an informed society.

News literacy is the ability to actively seek out credible news, recognise bias, understand how journalism is produced, and apply critical thinking to use news meaningfully in civic, educational, and professional contexts. News literacy strengthens informed judgement and sustains the motivation to engage with society, it is essential for informed decision-making and active civic participation

WAN-IFRA recognises that the news media industry has a direct responsibility for fostering news literacy and thus contributing to build audience’s resilience to manipulation. This objective can be pursued through actions such as:

• cultivating critical thinking and inspiring a desire for democratic engagement;
• developing in users an appetite to critically evaluate news and digital content;
• empowering individuals to question, interpret, and engage with information responsibly;
• reaching young people and marginalised groups, specifically recognising that youth represent the future of informed public discourse.

As the world’s largest trade organisation for news publishers, WAN-IFRA is committed in supporting member news organisations to become proactive drivers of MIL initiatives in general and news literacy in particular, in the conviction that strengthening news literacy promotes the long-term viability and market relevance of independent news publishers.

Through campaigns, training programs, network-building, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy, WAN-IFRA aims to inspire, support, and amplify the efforts of its members and partners worldwide.

WAN-IFRA’s commitment to MIL is integral to our broader mission of defending press freedom, promoting ethical journalism, and ensuring a vibrant future for news publishing globally.

Paris, 6 May 2025