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, asserts the importance of safeguarding media integrity, the safety of journalists, and press freedom in a vital year for global democracy.
Whereas the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation poses a significant threat to democratic processes,
Recognising the critical role that independent media outlets and journalism play in providing accurate, verified information to the public,
Acknowledging the inherent dangers faced by journalists, especially in the lead up to, and during election periods.
The WAN-IFRA board resolves:
- To reaffirm the importance of independent news media and journalism as a cornerstone of democracy, serving to inform, educate, and empower citizens during electoral processes.
- To condemn all forms of violence, intimidation, harassment, and censorship against journalists.
- To call on governments to uphold press freedom and ensure the safety and security of journalists, both online and offline, by implementing robust legal frameworks, providing adequate training and resources for law enforcement, and prosecuting perpetrators of attacks against journalists.
- To encourage media organisations to prioritise fact-checking to combat misinformation and disinformation effectively.
- To urge social media platforms and technology companies to take proactive measures to curb the spread of false information.
- To advocate for the establishment of mechanisms for the swift and impartial investigation of attacks on journalists, ensuring accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims.