2 - Increase funding

Increase financial and other forms of support to public interest media and the information environment, in order to strengthen democratic resilience.

This may include:

Increasing the overall volume of financial and other support to the media and information environment.

Acknowledging that public interest news and public interest media are public goods and thus worthy recipients of public funding.

Incorporating assistance to media and the information environment as a vital element of development co-operation providers’ response to democratic backsliding, rising authoritarianism and mis- and disinformation, as well as a contribution towards democracy and development.

Prioritising support for countries where multiple concurrent crises (for example political, economic, climate- or conflict-related) risk creating information deserts.

Integrating support to public interest media and the information environment within wider and coherent development co-operation, humanitarian assistance, and peacebuilding policies or strategies (e.g., in efforts to tackle climate change or conflict, supporting for anti-corruption efforts, and promoting free and fair elections, citizen engagement, and gender equality, etc.).

Supporting initiatives that offer security assistance, such as health insurance, life risk funds, or relocation to journalists and media professionals working in high-risk environments.