Enabling media markets to work for democracy

It’s hard to think of a time in recent history when access to trustworthy information has been more important.

Independent public interest media matters now more than ever. It is a critical building block for healthy democracies everywhere. It is fundamental to countering the malicious spread of mis- and dis- information, to free and fair elections, and ensuring space where civil and democratic norms can thrive.

The International Fund for Public Interest Media will create the step change needed to enable the development, sustainability and independence of public interest media – especially in resource-poor and fragile settings.

The fund

An International Fund for Public Interest Media would increase support to independent media to enable their development, sustainability and independence - especially in resource-poor and fragile settings.

Why it exists

In recent years, independent media has faced increasing political attacks, financial challenges, and weakening business models.

The global loss in revenue in 2020 of newspapers alone is estimated at US$30 billion. When independent media is weakened, it impacts all of society and threatens democracy.

Corruption can be expected to rise. Violent extremism – often fuelled by corruption – finds more fertile ground. Social cohesion is diminished, particularly where media falls into the hands of those who co-opt it to advance their own political or factional agendas. Conflict and instability become more likely.

To avoid the collapse of vital independent media, we need a more coordinated global response that creates a step change in support.

What is it

The principal role of the International Fund for Public Interest Media is to enable media to work for democracy.

It will support the media through this time of existential threat and develop lasting solutions to the current media market failure in low- and middle- income countries.

The Fund complements existing efforts. It catalyses new money as a globally coordinated but fully independent vehicle that can activate quickly to provide critical funding and support to hundreds – if not thousands – of public interest media organisations worldwide.

The Fund has been designed to minimise interference in the internal affairs of the countries it supports. Its governance arrangements and international nature ensure funds are allocated efficiently and in ways that command maximum legitimacy in the eyes of media institutions and other democratic stakeholders in beneficiary countries.

We have developed the concept, completed a detailed Feasibility Study, have a founding team, and operational funding in place. Now, we need the decisive will and action to raise funds at scale to strengthen public interest media around the world.