Media Freedom Coalition

Media Freedom Coalition Statement on Foreign Media Access to Gaza

MFC — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:55:18 +0000

والبيان متاح أيضًا باللغة العربية

In light of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, we, the undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition, urge Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza.  

Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. Access to conflict zones is vital to carrying out this role effectively. We oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts.    

We also strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers, especially the extremely high number of fatalities, arrests and detentions. We call on the Israeli authorities and all other parties to make every effort to ensure that media workers in Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem – local and foreign alike – can conduct their work freely and safely. Deliberate targeting of journalists is unacceptable. International humanitarian law offers protection to civilian journalists during armed conflict. We call for all attacks against media workers to be investigated and for those responsible to be prosecuted in compliance with national and international law. 

We reiterate calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of the remaining hostages, unhindered flow of humanitarian aid and for a path towards a two-state solution, long-term peace and security.  

Signed:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
the Netherlands
the United Kingdom

“A landmark mission with immediate impacts”: how MFC embassies and civil society collaborated on Philippines press freedom mission

MFC Secretariat — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:20:40 +0000

A “first of its kind” media freedom mission has seen embassies of MFC member countries working with with leading press freedom organisations to put the spotlight on the safety of journalists in the Philippines.

The one-week mission in June 2025 was described as “a landmark mission that underscored the importance of in-country engagement and collaboration” by CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi.

The mission involved figures from the MFC’s Consultative Network – a group of press freedom and media development organisations from around the world – visiting the Philippines for one week and working with embassies on a series of meetings and engagements.

“There was nothing more powerful than being present on the ground, hearing first hand from journalists, or families of those who have been jailed or murdered because of their journalism,” stated Beh Lih Yi. “The opportunities to engage with the government directly to advocate for media freedom together have led to immediate impacts and results following the mission.”

In one early outcome from the mission, the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Netherlands to the Philippines, Robert van der Hum, was able to visit detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio during the following week. Ms. Cumpio, 26, is currently the only detained journalist in the Philippines, and has been in pre-trial detention for more than 5 years alongside Marielle Domequil and Alexander Abinguna.

In a post highlighting the visit, the Embassy of the Netherlands noted that multiple embassies are following this and other cases, including the embassies of Germany, Canada, the UK, Norway, and France, as well as the EU Delegation.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of the MFC’s approach, and this mission was the first time a group of media freedom organisations had coordinated with MFC member countries in this way. The organisations from the Consultative Network taking part were the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The visit featured high-level meetings with the government of the Philippines, including with the Department of Justice and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security. These discussions focussed on raising cases of concern and exploring avenues for constructive collaboration to combat impunity and secure justice for journalists.

“Your commitment and collaboration are invaluable in our joint efforts to uphold and protect press freedom,” stated the Presidential Task Force on Media Security after the meeting.

There were also meetings with various media organizations, journalist groups and press freedom advocates, who shared information on the various issues Filipino journalists are facing today, from harassment to economic concerns.

One meeting involved the family of Gerry Ortega, a journalist who was murdered in 2011. After 14 years, his family is still pursuing justice for the crime. Afterwards Dr Patty Ortega, the widow of Gerry Ortega, thanked MFC stakeholders for their ongoing support in the pursuit of justice: “The presence of the MFC is a powerful reminder that solidarity knows no borders, especially in the defence of press freedom, justice, and democracy.”

Following the conclusion of the mission, CPJ’s Beh Lih Yi stressed that “a sustained and systematic collaboration between the MFC member states and civil society groups is key to ensure success. Such efforts require investment, resources and persistent engagement to advocate effectively. “

A representative of the embassy network in the Philippines highlighted the importance of these collaborations, saying: “Cooperation with civil society has greatly complemented our efforts by providing ground-level insights and alternative viewpoints. Civil society organizations are often more attuned to emerging issues that may not be immediately visible embassies, making them invaluable partners.”

They added that the collaboration “created a shared space for dialogue, making it easier to align on concerns and priorities. Through this collaboration, we’ve also identified practical ways to extend our cooperation in order to support and strengthen media freedom here in the Philippines. Moving forward, we could institutionalize this collaboration through regular consultations and joint initiatives. Next steps could include co-hosted events, capacity-building efforts for journalists and civil society actors, and continued dialogue with government representatives to push for tangible reforms.”

Beh Lih Yi concluded that this mission “embodies the spirit of the MFC – that press freedom is an integral part of democracy, human rights, global security and prosperity.”

Finland becomes co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition

MFC — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 10:18:05 +0000

Finland has been announced as the new co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, a global partnership of 51 countries working together to promote press freedom at home and abroad.

Finland begins its two-year term as co-chair alongside Germany, which became co-chair in January 2024.

Finland succeeds Estonia, which has been MFC co-chair since July 2023. Finland will officially take over the co-chair role on 1^st July 2025.

Promoting freedom of the press is a priority for the Finnish Government, which ranks 5^th on Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index. In Finland’s view, media freedom is a key pillar of a democratic society and has an important role in contributing to comprehensive security. Issues related to media freedom are also high on the agenda of Finland’s Chairpersonship of the OSCE in 2025.

Elina Valtonen, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, formally accepted the co-chairship from her Estonian counterpart, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 23^rd June 2025.

Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany Johann Wadephul was also present for the handover.

Minister Valtonen said: “Our co-chairmanship will focus on protecting journalists and improving media literacy and on broader issues related to global freedom of speech. It is a pleasure to work with Germany on these important themes.”

Minister Tsahkna said: “It has been a great honour for Estonia to co-chair the Media Freedom Coalition from July 2023 until June 2025. I wish to sincerely thank the Netherlands and Germany for the excellent cooperation during our joint chairmanships. The need to protect media freedom has never been more urgent, and we have been fighting globally for free and independent media both online and offline. Together with MFC member States and other important stakeholders, we have stood up for journalists at risk and defended the right to free and independent media globally. I warmly welcome Finland, a country with a strong record on media freedom, as a new co-chair of the Coalition. I am confident they will continue this vital work with determination and vision.”

Minister Wadephul said: “Protecting media freedom is protecting freedom itself. Without a free press, societies cannot be free. Thank you very much, Estonia, for being an outstanding partner and Co-Chair in the global fight for media freedom. Today more than ever, we need independent and courageous journalists that can report the facts to the world unimpededly and that can speak truth to power relentlessly. That is why we are very much looking forward to spearheading the work of the Media Freedom Coalition together with incoming Co-Chair and esteemed partner Finland.”

The Media Freedom Coalition was established in 2019 by co-founders the UK and Canada, and has since grown to 51 member countries from six continents. Member countries work together on a range of activities to protect media freedom around the world, such as diplomacy to support journalists at risk, the provision of emergency visas to journalists fleeing their country, and reforming laws to better protect journalists and media workers.

The Coalition’s latest annual report highlighted that the MFC has acted on 22 cases of journalists at risk during 2024, while embassies of MFC members had spoken out on a further 15 cases. The report also highlighted 123 actions by MFC member embassies around the world, such as visiting imprisoned journalists, providing funding, and organising events.

To do its work, the Coalition works closely with a group of the world’s leading press freedom and media support organisations (the Consultative Network), a group of leading lawyers and judges from around the world (the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom), and international organisations including UNESCO.

Media Freedom Coalition statement delivered at the 59th session of the Human Rights Council

MFC — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:13:50 +0000

The following statement was delivered by H.E. Ambassador Riia Salsa-Audiffren at the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 18 June, as part of Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Irene Khan

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 49 member states of the Media Freedom Coalition.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for highlighting the vital role of freedom of expression in the context of elections. These freedoms are essential to democratic participation, transparency, accountability, and electoral credibility.

Growing attempts to suppress independent media, restrict freedom of expression, and spread disinformation and information manipulation around electoral processes — particularly through social media — are of deep concern to Coalition members.

We urge all states to ensure that journalists, media workers, and civil society can operate freely and safely before, during, and after elections. This includes refraining from Internet and digital platform shutdowns, arbitrary detention, censorship, manipulation, and other measures — including undue restrictions by state authorities — that restrict pluralistic discourse and free flow of information.

The Coalition members assure their full support to the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and her crucial work. We call for the protection of media independence and diversity, and stress the need for digital platforms to be transparent and accountable in handling electoral content.

We reaffirm our commitment to defending media freedom and upholding freedom of expression as a cornerstone of free and fair elections.

Thank you.

Signed:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Belize
Botswana
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Honduras
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kosovo
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Maldives
Montenegro
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
Uruguay
the Netherlands
the United Kingdom

Independent Evaluation Reviews Media Freedom Coalition’s First Five Years

MFC Secretariat — Thu, 29 May 2025 08:24:52 +0000

An independent evaluation of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), conducted by Aleph Strategies between October 2024 and March 2025, has assessed the MFC’s performance during its first five years, from its establishment in July 2019 to late 2024.

The review aimed to evaluate the MFC’s contributions to media freedom and journalist safety, examine stakeholder coordination, assess the sustainability of its outcomes, and offer recommendations.

The evaluation team conducted an in-depth document review, on online survey, and 67 remote interviews from representatives of 52 organisations and institutions, including MFC member countries, and representatives of the Consultative Network, High Level Panel and UNESCO among others. They also conducted two field visits to gain a deeper understanding of local-level engagement.

The evaluation highlighted some “notable contributions” that the MFC has made to media freedom and journalist safety since its inception.

According to the report, the MFC “has played a role in encouraging some Member States to strengthen their media freedom policies and legislation. The MFC has also influenced state actors through diplomatic and advocacy efforts, maintaining high-level political attention on media freedom.

“Direct interventions, legal guidance, and engagement with embassy networks have contributed to journalist protection efforts at the local level. Furthermore, the MFC has strengthened multi-stakeholder coordination.”

The evaluation report also highlighted several areas for improvement. These included the lack of “a structured approach for supporting and tracking commitments” among member states, the need to strengthen knowledge management and information-sharing, and the potential for a focus on high-profile cases to overshadow broader, systemic media freedom challenges.

The report concludes with ten key recommendations which include enhancing the MFC’s impact and operational effectiveness, enhancing visibility and strategic communications, and improving engagement with journalists and media workers.

Protecting journalists in the justice system: MFC and Belgium co-host side event for World Press Freedom Day 2025

MFC Secretariat — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:23:55 +0000

On the sidelines of World Press Freedom Day 2025, the MFC and Belgium hosted an event looking at how to protect journalists when they are accused of crimes, as well as how to tackle impunity for crimes against them.

The event took place on May 6th at Egmont Palace in Brussels, Belgium, the day before UNESCO’s signature event for World Press Freedom Day.

H.E. Theodora Gentzis, President of the Board of Directors of FPS Foreign Affairs of Belgium, opened the session by marking one year since Belgium joined the MFC.

She also said: “With today’s side event, Belgium aims to further advance the efforts at the international level to push back the grave lack of accountability for those who commit crimes against journalists, to ensure that justice is served and that the rule of law prevails.”

Claudia Schmitz, Head of Division for International Media Policy, Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany (MFC co-chair), added in her remarks: “Unhindered, critical and precise reporting by journalists is a fundamental part of democracy as it holds states, businesses and societies worldwide accountable for their actions.”

The ensuing panel discussion featured representatives of the media, the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, the Consultative Network, and MFC member embassies.

Georgian journalist Irma Dimitradze began the panel discussion by spotlighting the media freedom situation in Georgia and conveying a message from her colleague, imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli: “I believe that as long as there are still people who will tell us that we are not alone, we will be able to preserve and develop both our profession and country.” (Watch the full message being delivered here.)

Embassies of MFC member countries in Georgia have spoken out on Amaglobeli’s case, and have also monitored her trial. Speaking about trial monitoring, Dimitradze said that while she was initially sceptical of its effects, she found out that it matters: “When the people see that embassies in different countries, the Western countries, when they see ambassadors or embassy representatives from those countries come and attend and express their solidarity, they realise that something is wrong … so it’s really important.”

Jaymie Reyes from the Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines highlighted work that MFC member embassies have been doing to prevent cases against journalists from going to court.

She said: “The bulk of the cases that journalists actually face are libel or defamation cases in the Philippines. So what we do is support local media councils in several areas of the Philippines so that they can mediate at the first instance, so cases won’t progress any further.”

Expanding on the broader significance of such international presence and trial monitoring, Reyes emphasised, “it at least kind of helps level the playing field, it promotes transparency and we are there to also emphasise symbolically the need for accountability in these types of cases.”

Catherine Anite of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom spoke about the importance of training lawyers and judges on freedom of expression – something she has long experience of. “With UNESCO, we’ve trained several judicial officers across Africa. And some judges will come to you and say, ‘if I had this training before ruling on this case, I would have ruled differently’. We’re starting to see a trickle-down effect that many judicial officers who are attending trainings are ruling positively on freedom of expression.”

Speaking on the 2024 research study on an international task force on crimes against journalists, Evelien Wijkstra of Free Press Unlimited, a member of the Consultative Network, said: “It’s very clear from that study that investigations work. It’s a way to work with the authorities and show that justice can be achieved.” The study builds on the work of civil society as well as a report by the High Level Panel on promoting more effective investigations.

Closing remarks were delivered by Katrin Kivi, Ambassador at Large for Human Rights, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFC co-chair), and Dr Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO.

The MFC was also featured during UNESCO’s global signature event the following day.

Under the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”, a session on “The Way Forward” featured representatives of two MFC member countries: Minna-Liina Lind, Undersecretary for Global Affairs at the Estonian Foreign Ministry (MFC co-chair) and Nicole Cardoch, Undersecretary General of the Government of Chile.

Among other topics, they discussed the importance of digital and media literacy and collaboration through the MFC as well as the Freedom Online Coalition. Watch their discussion here.

Joint Statement on behalf of members of the Media Freedom Coalition and Freedom Online Coalition on World Press Freedom Day 2025

MFC — Sat, 03 May 2025 11:30:32 +0000

On this World Press Freedom Day 2025, we, the undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition and the Freedom Online Coalition, pay tribute to journalists and media workers worldwide, particularly those reporting from conflict zones and repressive environments.

Media freedom is a cornerstone of democracy and a fundamental pillar of open and resilient societies. It enables citizens to make informed decisions, fosters government accountability, and acts as a safeguard against abuse of power. A free and independent press also strengthens security by exposing corruption and human rights violations, drives economic growth by promoting fair markets, and improves public health by sharing accurate and timely information.

This year’s theme “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media” highlights the growing role of AI in journalism. AI presents both opportunities and challenges for media freedom. It can enhance journalism by aiding content creation, translation, data analysis, and fact-checking, making reporting more efficient and accessible.

At the same time, AI could be used to suppress independent journalism at home and abroad, which may amount to transnational repression. AI-driven surveillance, online harassment, foreign information manipulation and interference, and censorship threaten press freedom. AI could also be used to misrepresent journalism, through the generation of deepfakes and other synthetic content that mislead audiences and harm trust in journalists. Without safeguards, AI poses risks to free expression.

On this World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting independent journalism and media in the digital age. We call on governments to develop and use AI in a manner consistent with international human rights obligations, and for all relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, to respect human rights and ensure transparency and accountability. Strengthening public understanding of how AI is used in journalism, including its benefits and risks, helps to build trust and makes it easier to recognize potential bias or manipulation. AI should be a tool to reinforce, not weaken, media freedom, so that journalism continues to serve the public interest and uphold democratic values and human rights.

Signed:

Argentina
Armenia*
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Belize
Botswana
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Colombia*
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia*
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Honduras
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kosovo
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Maldives
Moldova*
Montenegro
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland*
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
Uruguay
the Netherlands
the United Kingdom

*This country is a member of the Freedom Online Coalition and not the Media Freedom Coalition

Media Freedom Coalition Statement on media freedom in Türkiye

MFC — Fri, 02 May 2025 08:55:18 +0000

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) express their deep concern about the escalating infringements on media freedom in Türkiye.

Freedom of opinion and expression, including for members of the press, are universal human rights. The recent arrests of journalists, the blocking of social media accounts, as well as fines and broadcasting bans imposed on media outlets covering the demonstrations following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the democratically elected mayor of Istanbul, and numerous others, undermine freedom of expression in Türkiye. Media freedom is important to the rights to freedom of opinion and expression. Journalists must be able to work freely and independently.

We reiterate our unwavering commitment to protecting freedom of opinion and freedom of expression, including for members of the press, as essential pillars upon which any functioning democracy is based.

We call on the Turkish authorities to ensure that journalists and media workers can conduct their work freely and safely, guaranteeing access to free, independent and pluralistic media, and to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which Türkiye has committed itself.

Signed:

Austria
Belgium
Canada
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Norway
Portugal
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
the Netherlands

How MFC governments have supported women journalists through innovative programmes around the world

MFC Secretariat — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:05:52 +0000

Journalists face a variety of threats to their safety and freedom. All too often, women journalists face specific obstacles and threats, from unequal representation and gender-based discrimination to gender-based violence, which often go unaddressed.

However, a growing number of MFC governments are funding innovative initiatives to fill this gap by providing tailored solutions that recognize the unique challenges women face in the journalism industry.

Article 19’s project Equally Safe: Towards a Feminist Approach to the Safety of Journalists, an initiative currently funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to improve journalists’ safety by offering new research, case studies from 6 countries, practical guidelines, and advocacy tools. These will help civil society, journalists, researchers, and policy makers to apply an intersectional feminist approach in their work

The program is reshaping journalist safety and gender equality in the newsroom. By adopting a feminist framework, the initiative acknowledges that the challenges women journalists face are not just physical but also structural, rooted in longstanding gender biases.

Dilrukshi Handunetti, Journalist and administrator of South Asian Women in Media, Sri Lanka said, “Women should not be negotiating for their space within their place of work. The time for responses designed by men, for men, is over.”

Bia Barbosa, Project Coordinator, Reporters Without Borders added, “Women are silenced before they are murdered. Failing to understand how violence has different impacts on women journalists and men journalists, or even LGBTQI+ journalists, means that protection policies overlook the specific protections that women journalists need.”

Senior freelance journalist Nirasha Piyawadani, from Sri Lanka, emphasized the importance of an intersectional approach by highlighting, “If the aggrieved party is an English-speaking journalist attached to a foreign media outlet, the response is empathetic and will likely yield a tangible result. But the same cannot be expected if a regional journalist is faced with an unsafe working condition.”

The disparities in responses to threats or crises reinforce the need for policies and programs that are sensitive to the diverse experiences of journalists based on their identity.

Another initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Journalists for Human Rights, Canada World: Voice for Women and Girls program in Turkey and Tunisia, is a four-year initiative aimed at improving the status of women’s and girls’ rights in the DRC, Syrian communities in Turkey, Tunisia, and Kenya. The program targets media, civil society and women’s rights organizations, academic institutions, decision-makers, and other key stakeholders, with the goal of developing the media sector and fostering partnerships.

By focusing on the professional development of women journalists, the program seeks to ensure they have the resources, networks, and recognition to thrive in their careers. The program has resulted in significant changes, and amplified women’s voices in public life, a notable example being Syrine Mrabet’s journey from participating in workshops to becoming a parliament member in Tunisia.

The Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF), funded by several MFC governments, also supports local, regional and global not-for-profit organizations working to bolster journalists’ legal protection and/or enhance media freedom through relevant investigative journalism and strategic litigation.

One organisation it has funded was Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP) in Colombia, undertaking legal initiatives to counter gender-based violence targeting women journalists. FLIP is also the current co-chair of the MFC’s Consultative Network.

Since 2021, FLIP and UNESCO, through the GMDF, have collaborated to enhance media freedom, providing journalists with access to legal assistance and bolstering their safety. In 2022, FLIP documented 44 instances of online aggression specifically directed at women journalists, which were predominantly gender-based stereotypes, insulting comments and degrading remarks about their professional roles. Through their work, the Administrative Court of Cundinamarca acknowledged the existence of a troubling pattern of violence against women journalists on social media platforms. This highlighted the urgency of the issue, and the need for tangible actions to combat the violence female journalists were facing.

The Constitutional Court of Colombia subsequently recognised that women journalists face a double standard of discrimination based on both their gender and profession. Consequently, the court ordered political parties, movements, and leaders found guilty of violence against women journalists to implement preventive measures. This included sanctioning online gender-based violence and establishing a mechanism to address individual petitions and legislation.

Diana Santos from FLIP emphasised the importance of this. “This decision recognizes that online violence is a phenomenon that increasingly affects the privacy and security of women journalists, setting an important precedent for addressing the differential impact of online violence on women journalists within the political exercise that currently jeopardizes women’s participation in the public sphere and democratic life.”

To learn more about other initiatives funded by the Global Media Defence Fund, find more case studies here. They have also recently launched an interview series; their first interview featuring Charlene Miwa Nagae of Tornavoz discusses the gender-specialized legal defence her organization provides to women journalists. These global initiatives show that support for women journalists is critical in ensuring that they not only survive in their careers but also thrive and lead the way in shaping the future of journalism.

Media Freedom Coalition statement delivered at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council

MFC — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:32:16 +0000

The following statement was delivered by H.E. Ambassador Riia Salsa-Audiffren at the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 27 March, as part of Item 8: General Debate: Follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

Mr. President,

Estonia, as co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, is honoured to deliver this Joint Statement on behalf of 49 member states of the Coalition.

In the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, all States reaffirmed that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal. Freedom of expression lies at the heart of these rights and is an essential part of democracy.

Today, media freedom – both online and offline – is a cornerstone of vibrant and inclusive societies. Free and independent media empowers individuals, promotes open dialogue, fosters transparency, and drives innovation.

When journalists can work unhindered, they fulfil an essential democratic function – holding those in power to account, scrutinizing governments, and bringing attention to underreported issues. Undue restrictions on press freedom, however, undermine human rights and prevent societies from reaching their full potential.

Digital advancements have expanded communication and improved access to information, creating opportunities for greater civic engagement. However, these advancements have also introduced challenges. One of the most pressing is the spread of disinformation and foreign information manipulation, employed by state and non-state actors to erode public trust and weaken democratic institutions. Inauthentic amplification of misleading content, disinformation and foreign information manipulation can distort reality and hinder informed decision-making.

To counter these threats, we emphasize the importance of media literacy. Teaching individuals to critically evaluate information can help them to distinguish facts from disinformation. Media literacy is more than an educational tool – it is a safeguard for democracy, ensuring that public discourse remains based on facts.

The Media Freedom Coalition is a cross-regional partnership with members from six continents. The undersigned members of the Coalition call on all states to renew their commitment to media freedom and to invest in media literacy initiatives. We also call for strengthened cooperation with international stakeholders, including UNESCO and OHCHR.

Together, we can create an environment where reliable, diverse information empowers individuals and strengthens our democracies.

Thank you.

Signed: