Below is an overview of networks, coalitions and consortiums Free Press Unlimited is part of as well as an overview of key international organisation that represent the media industry.
Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)
The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) is a network of journalism support and media assistance groups. Its core value is to support the creation and strengthening of journalism and free, independent, sustainable and pluralistic new ecosystems, as defined by the declarations of UNESCO at conferences in Windhoek, Almaty, Santiago de Chile, Sana’a and Sofia. Its main focus is to ensure proper collaboration as well as an exchange of information and experience among its members with a view to creating a strong, independent and pluralistic media environment, which contributes to the development of empowered societies.
Dynamic Coalition on the Sustainability of Journalism and News Media
The Dynamic Coalition on the Sustainability of Journalism and News Media (DC-Sustainability) is a GFMD-led, multi-stakeholder initiative formally operating within the U.N. Internet Governance Forum (IGF) that is meant to be a hub for the journalism, news media, press freedom, journalism support, and media development sectors to engage with important Internet governance and digital policy matters.
IFEX
IFEX is a global network of organisations that is connected by a shared commitment to defend and promote freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. The network members work together to draw the world’s attention to free expression through the strategic use of new media and mobile technologies and by participating in joint advocacy campaigns and capacity building programmes. IFEX advocates for the free expression rights of all, including media workers, citizen journalists, activists, artists and scholars.
Information & Democracy Forum
The Forum on Information and Democracy is an independent international organisation which will gather States, civil society, media and digital platforms to discuss through regulation and self-regulation solutions to ensure democratic safeguards in the digital era. t is part of the International Initiative on Information & Democracy led by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Media Freedom Rapid Response
The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) tracks, monitors and reacts to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers.
ACOS Alliance
The ACOS Alliance (A Culture Of Safety Alliance) is a coalition of news organisations, freelance journalist associations and press freedom NGOs working together to advocate for safe and responsible journalistic practices for freelance and local journalists worldwide.
Consortia
Media4Democracy
Media4Democracy is an EU-funded Technical Assistance Facility strengthening the European Union Delegations’ ability to implement the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline. It provides advocacy support and capacity building services to all EU Delegations (EUDs) worldwide, as well as customised technical support to individual EU Delegations. Free Press Unlimited is one of six consortium members.
PRIMED
Protecting Independent Media for Effective Development (PRIMED) is a three-year programme to support the provision of public interest media in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. PRIMED seeks to build the resilience of public interest media to political and economic pressures that are undermining viability, and to develop information ecosystems that enable a better flow of trusted public interest media content. This includes support to collective advocacy initiatives – advocacy ‘coalitions’ – that are pushing for improvements in the information ecosystems of programme countries. With a strong focus on research and learning, PRIMED is also looking to shape media development policy and practice globally. PRIMED is implemented by a consortium of media support organisations with expertise in different aspects of media and development. Led by BBC Media Action, PRIMED partners include Free Press Unlimited, International Media Support and the Media Development Investment Fund, with additional support of Global Forum for Media Development and the Communication Initiative.
Learn more
To learn more about coalition-building as well as the key factors for success, see the learning brief ‘Coalitions for Change: Collective Action, Better Media Ecosystems‘ that was developed within the framework of the PRIMED programme.
Media Industry
WAN-IFRA
The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) is represents the world’s press and has a global network of 3,000 news publishing companies and technology entrepreneurs. It derives its ‘legitimacy from its 60 member publisher associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries’. Their mission is ‘to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media.’
IPI
The International Press Institute (IPI) is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists who share a common dedication to quality, independent journalism. IPI promotes the conditions that allow journalism to fulfil its public function, the most important of which is the media’s ability to operate free from interference and without fear of retaliation.
EBU
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the world’s leading alliance of public service media (PSM). With 115 member organizations in 56 countries and an additional 34 Associates in Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Americas, EBU members operate nearly 2,000 television, radio and online channels and services. Their Legal and Policy team work towards securing a European regulatory framework to help members fulfil their public service remit and contribute to the democratic, social and cultural needs of society. EBUs research areas focus on public service media, audiences and market insights.
IFJ
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is the world’s largest organisation of journalists and represents 600,000 media professionals from 187 trade unions and associations in more than 140 countries. The IFJ speaks for journalists within the United Nations system and within the international trade union movement.
EFJ
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is the largest organisation of journalists in Europe, representing over 320,000 journalists in 72 journalists’ organisations across 45 countries. The EFJ promotes and defends the rights to freedom of expression and information as guaranteed by Article 10 of the European convention on human rights.