Dutch Funding Boosts UNESCO’s Global Efforts to Defend Journalists and Freedom of Expression
At a ceremony held at UNESCO Headquarters, the Netherlands reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to freedom of expression and the safety of journalists worldwide through a new financial contribution.
This includes renewed support for the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP), as well as a first donation to UNESCO’s Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF).
The announcement, made on 26 November 2024, underscores the Netherlands’ dedication to addressing critical and pressing global challenges related to freedom of expression and safety of journalists.
Freedom of expression, independent and pluralistic media and the safety of journalists remains of great importance to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We commend the efforts made by the Communication and Information Sector to uphold these values and protect the most vulnerable. As a longstanding and reliable partner, we are pleased to continue our support for UNESCO’s vital work in these areas. - Monique van Daalen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to UNESCO
Over the years, Dutch support for the IPDC and MDP has helped achieve significant milestones, including the establishment of national safety mechanisms for journalists, the creation of supportive legal and institutional frameworks, and emergency assistance to journalists in crisis-affected countries.
UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Mr. Tawfik Jelassi, expressed his gratitude for the Netherlands’ support.
The strong commitment to protect freedom of expression reflected by this generous donation from the Netherlands is a powerful endorsement of our efforts to protect journalists and media professionals. It will significantly enhance our capacity to defend press freedom and ensure journalists can work safely and independently. - Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO
The Netherlands’ latest contribution will further expand UNESCO’s capacity to respond to emerging challenges in media development and freedom of expression:
International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)The IPDC will allocate funds to grassroots projects approved for 2024, including monitoring and reporting on the safety of journalists in Africa, with a focus on gender–building, continuing projects in Iraq, and advancing journalism education for climate change reporting and environmental investigative journalism.
Multi-Donor Programme (MDP)The MDP continues to lead global advocacy efforts through key events such as World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI). In the past year, the MDP help expand UNESCO’s work under the Internet for Trust initiative and the launch of the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change.
Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF)The Netherlands’ contribution for the GMDF will enable the Fund to expand its reach, particularly in enhancing legal protections for journalists and promoting investigative journalism. Since 2020, the Fund has supported over 150 projects, directly benefiting more than 8,000 journalists, 1,400 lawyers, and 300 media organisations, fostering a safer and more resilient media landscape.
The Netherlands joins a growing coalition of supporters of the GMDF, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Siemens AG. This collective effort highlights the global community’s shared commitment to defending press freedom.
The collaboration between the GMDF, the IPDC and MDP, ensures a comprehensive approach to media freedom and journalist safety.
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