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UNESCO Welcomes Germany’s Expanded Support for Global Media Defence Fund

UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General of for Communication and Information, Mr Tawfik Jelassi, expressed heartfelt appreciation for Germany’s enhanced commitment to the UNESCO-administered Global Media Defence Fund. This additional contribution, officially signed by H.E. Ambassador Kerstin Pürschel, reflects Germany’s steadfast dedication to upholding freedom of expression and ensuring the safety of journalists globally.

Germany’s Support for Global Media Defence Fund

21 December 2023

Germany has been one of the key supporters to UNESCO’s work on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, including through its renewed contribution to the Global Media Defence Fund. The decision to increase the support demonstrates Germany’s strong commitment to defend journalists around the globe.

Tawfik JelassiAssistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO

On 12 December 2023, Germany renewed its commitment to the Global Media Defence Fund pledging an additional EUR 506,700, making Germany the third largest contributor to the Fund.

The Global Media Defence Fund has been supporting the work of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, through the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute. Additionally, it has actively backed the efforts of the Media Freedom Coalition’s Consultative Network to ensure the engagement of civil society, media and journalists in advancing media freedom worldwide. The Fund has also launched four Calls for Partnerships, inviting not-for-profit organizations from all regions to participate. So far, the Global Media Defence Fund has supported over 120 projects, working to bolster journalists’ legal protection and enhance media freedom through impactful investigative journalism and strategic litigation. Over 5,000 journalists, 1,500 lawyers and 200 NGOs have directly benefited from these actions.

The significance of the Fund is further highlighted by its synergy with other UNESCO actions, such as the Judges initiative, the Multi-Donor Programme (MDP), and the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). Together, these efforts contribute to fostering an environment where legal frameworks support a plural, free, and independent media ecosystem.

The success of the Fund would not have been possible without the continued commitment of Germany and the other donors of the Fund: Australia, Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Siemens AG.