Guidance by principle

The what — turning the OECD Principles into practical action.

This section provides operational guidance for applying each of the six OECD Development Co-operation Principles on Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment.

Each principle represents a building block for effective, responsible, and sustainable media support. Together, they form a roadmap for EU institutions and Member States to design, fund, and evaluate programmes that protect independent journalism, strengthen public interest information, and reinforce democratic resilience.

For each principle, you’ll find:

• Purpose and key concepts that translate the principle into operational terms.

• Do’s, don’ts, and best practices drawn from interviews, field consultations, and research.

• Case studies and examples illustrating how the principle works in practice.

• Cross-cutting checklists to ensure consistency across policy, programming, and implementation.

Who it’s for

• EU policymakers and programme managers seeking to align their instruments with the OECD Principles.

• EU Delegations, embassies, and implementing partners looking for clear standards on safety, funding, coordination, and local ownership.

• Researchers and advocates tracking how EU media support can become more coherent and evidence-based.

Why it matters

The OECD Principles provide a shared foundation for all donors. Applying them ensures that EU and Member State support strengthens, rather than distorts, the media and information ecosystems it aims to protect. Each principle builds the integrity, trust, and resilience that underpin Europe’s democratic, security, and development goals.