Press Freedom

Keep journalism alive – support free, independent media worldwide

From a coup d’état in Myanmar to the crisis in Afghanistan and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, over the last 12 months our members have been incredibly generous in their offers of support to WAN-IFRA Media Freedom. Many ask us how best they can assist – one way is to donate to our dedicated fund to support media in crisis.

Press Freedom Advocacy Campaigns

WAN-IFRA  speaks out in defence of press freedom to reduce censorship and champion the editorial and economic independence of media. Our advocacy campaigns in support of colleagues from around the globe are endorsed and promoted by members, local Media Freedom Committees, professional colleagues and peers from the global human rights and freedom of expression community.

Media Development

We are a leader in providing technical support to independent media in emerging, transitional and fragile markets throughout Africa, Asia, Eurasia and the Middle East. In specific, we support the efforts of independent media to become more stable and identify prospects for long-term financial viability to preserve economic independence, we partner with media to drive gender equality and diversity and inclusion, and we strengthen professional networks to help media overcome the isolation within which they operate.

Journalist Safety

WAN-IFRA is committed to working with journalists, editors, newsrooms and media organisations across the globe to improve the physical safety, digital security, mental health and well-being of media professionals. Our work extends to members and non-members alike and includes physical safety training courses, online certified training opportunities, workshops, seminars and key resources to better prepare newsrooms, managers and individual journalists for the risks involved in producing the news.

Local Media Freedom Committees

WAN-IFRA has established local Media Freedom Committees (MFCs) in 20 countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico; Egypt, Jordan, Palestine; Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and The Philippines.

Golden Pen of Freedom

The Golden Pen of Freedom recognises the outstanding action, in writing or deed, of an individual, a group or an institution in the cause of press freedom. Behind the names of the laureates lie stories of extraordinary personal courage and self-sacrifice, stories of jail, beatings, bombings, censorship, exile and murder.

World Press Freedom Day

WAN-IFRA is supporting UNESCO’s annual World Press Freedom Day campaign. The World Press Freedom Day acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom.

The Backstory Media Freedom Podcast

The Backstory is a podcast series from WAN-IFRA exploring media freedom issues from across the globe. We look at challenging issues that journalists and media organisations are faced with, exploring how they tackle – and surmount – the obstacles to continue reporting the news.

African Media Grants

WAN-IFRA Media Freedom invites African media organisations to apply for a grant of $10,000 USD to assist newsrooms in telling the story of climate change. 

Strengthening African Media

A three-year media freedom programme in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark to ensure African audiences can access a range of accurate, independent information from quality, professional media.