The Board of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), meeting on 31 May in Washington D.C. during the 67th World News Media Congress, 22nd World Editors Forum and 25th World Advertising Forum, call for greater support and solidarity for independent media in countries where critical independent journalism is lacking.

The WAN-IFRA Board acknowledges the urgency of providing stronger protections for independent journalism in the face of soaring physical, structural, political, and economic pressures that are particularly acute for media in fragile states. Independent media is central to development and the democratic process, and every effort should be made to guarantee an environment that permits media to fulfil its societal watchdog role free from aggression or interference.

The Board of WAN-IFRA notes that media play an indispensable role in holding governments to account, improving transparency, and reducing corruption. It calls for greater prioritisation and concerted efforts across all sectors to:

• Assist in the advancement and promotion of quality, independent journalistic practices as an aide to good democratic governance;

• Empower individuals and create more knowledgeable societies by safeguarding access to reliable information;

• Strengthen the technical capacity and financial sustainability of media operating in fragile environments, where independent information is most vital to both local communities and wider global understanding.

To this effect, the Board of WAN-IFRA calls on governments, development assistance organisations, and the media industry itself to commit greater resources to ensure support and solidarity for media operating in fragile states.

As part of this effort, the Board also calls on governments to pass United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 16, which includes as one of its target aims “to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.”