> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://oecd-media-support-principles.gfmd.info/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://oecd-media-support-principles.gfmd.info/toolkit/role/heads-of-mission-ambassadors/start-here-quick-checklist-for-heads-of-mission-ambassadors.md).

# Start here: Quick checklist for Heads of Mission / Ambassadors

### Context & relevance

☐ Do you have a clear, up-to-date understanding of the local media and information ecosystem (including media markets, regulatory environment, and information flows)?

☐ Are media and information integrity reflected in how broader political, governance, and diplomatic priorities are framed?

☐ Does your engagement reflect how media systems interact with political power, regulation, and public trust?

☐ Are media-related issues appropriately integrated into political dialogue and country-level positioning?

### Do no harm

☐ Are risks specific to media actors (e.g. political pressure, legal constraints, surveillance, risks linked to visibility and donor association) clearly identified and considered?

☐ Have you considered how your public positioning, diplomatic engagement, or political signalling may affect the safety, credibility, or independence of media actors?

☐ Are decisions on visibility, statements, and engagement informed by context-specific risk analysis?

☐ Are there internal processes to ensure that political priorities and messaging do not unintentionally expose partners to harm?

{% hint style="info" %}

### Quick test

If political attention on media increases (e.g. through public statements or high-level engagement), could this increase risks for partners or constrain their ability to operate?
{% endhint %}

### Increase financial and other forms of support

☐ Is support to independent media and information integrity reflected in country-level priorities and strategic dialogue?

☐ Do your political signals and engagement support sustained funding and prioritisation of media-related programmes?

☐ Are funding priorities aligned with the realities of media systems, including sustainability challenges and market constraints?

☐ Are programme teams able to prioritise media within existing instruments and constraints?

### Take a whole-of-system approach

☐ Does your strategic positioning reflect the full media and information ecosystem (including content production, distribution, regulation, and audiences)?

☐ Are linkages between media, digital policy, governance, and security reflected in political dialogue and engagement?

☐ Does your approach avoid reinforcing narrow, project-based understandings of media support?

☐ Are different parts of the mission aligned in how they approach media and information integrity (political, programme, communications)?

### Strengthen local leadership and ownership

☐ Are local media actors able to inform how media-related issues are understood and raised at mission level?

☐ Does your engagement reinforce the independence and credibility of local media actors?

☐ Are considerations of how and when media-related issues are raised at mission level explicitly discussed and reflected in strategic direction?

☐ Are diverse media actors (e.g. local outlets, investigative journalists, support organisations) considered in how priorities are set?

### Improve coordination of support

☐ Are existing donor coordination mechanisms (e.g. working groups, platforms, joint initiatives) actively used across sectors and donors?

☐ Are you aligning with other donors at political level to reduce mixed signals and fragmentation?

☐ Are roles and responsibilities across donors and within the mission clearly understood?

☐ Are there clear criteria for when joint positions or coordinated engagement are appropriate?

### Invest in knowledge, research, and learning

☐ Is your engagement informed by up-to-date analysis of the media and information environment?

☐ Do you have access to relevant insights on audience trust, information flows, and media dynamics?

☐ Are gaps in understanding of the media landscape identified and addressed where needed?

☐ Are lessons from previous programmes and partner engagement reflected in political positioning and strategic direction?

**Download and print the checklist from here:**

{% file src="/files/UrMfC778X2YDTySpr96V" %}