Reaffirm support for independent media in Ukraine.

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Press Freedom

WAN-IFRA Supervisory Board

COPENHAGEN, 27.05.2024

At the conclusion of their annual meeting in Copenhagen, the Board of Directors of WAN-IFRA has issued a series of resolutions addressing critical issues facing the global media landscape. These resolutions underscore WAN-IFRA’s commitment to promoting a sustainable business ecosystem for the news, safeguarding media integrity, ensuring the safety of journalists, and upholding press freedom in a pivotal year for global democracy.

The Board of the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), meeting during the 75th World News Media Congress taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark 27th– 29th May 2024, reaffirms its strong support for the independent media in Ukraine.

Whereas Russia’s war against Ukraine has now entered its third year,

Recognising the need to maintain and increase support to independent media in their efforts to fight an intensifying information war,

Acknowledging that significant long-term support – financial, technical, and political – is required to maintain the proper functioning of the media sector in Ukraine.

The WAN-IFRA board resolves:

  1. To reaffirm its solidarity with the independent media of Ukraine for the duration of the present conflict, and to continue to advocate on behalf of Ukrainian colleagues across all channels and in all fora.
  2. To pursue efforts to provide resources for support to the media sector, through fundraising initiatives, donor-funded and project-specific engagements, and by actively seeking partnerships and collaborations with relevant local, regional, and international actors.
  3. To continue to build on strong engagements with WAN-IFRA member associations (the Ukrainian Media Business Association – UMBA, and the Association of Independent Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine – AIRPPU), and their office bearers, to respond to needs and ensure coordinated efforts in support of the Ukrainian press.
  4. To work with Ukrainian partners to facilitate their ambition of ensuring a dynamic future for the country’s media sector based on quality, independent journalism, viable and sustainable business operations, plural and diverse media organisations, and the highest standards across governance frameworks, legal and enabling environments, and journalist safety and protection.