Canada Boosts Support for UNESCO’s Global Media Defence Fund

Administered by UNESCO, the Global Media Defence Fund is dedicated to enhancing the legal protection of journalists and media organizations worldwide. The fund aims to ensure that journalists can carry out their critical work without fear of violence, censorship, or intimidation. By also supporting investigative journalism and strategic litigation, the fund also works to reduce impunity for crimes against journalists and to promote a free, independent, and pluralistic media environment.

In the face of growing challenges to human rights globally, the work of human rights defenders and the protection of media freedom are more important than ever. Canada stands unwavering in its commitment to working with partners to safeguard and expand the protection and promotion of human rights defenders and journalists around the world. - Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada

Canada’s initial funding helped establish the UNESCO-administered Global Media Defence Fund, advancing the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. 

Canada’s renewed commitment to the Global Media Defence Fund will be instrumental to  advance the Fund’s mission and impact. This commitment will bolster the legal defence of journalists focusing on environmental issues, support the 2025 initiatives for defending women journalists, and upscale efforts to provide legal aid to journalists, investigate crimes against them, and pursue strategic litigation, through the Fund’s Call for partnerships. -Tawfik JelassiAssistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO

Since its inception, the fund has supported over 150 projects globally, benefiting more than 8,000 journalists, 1,400 lawyers, and 200 NGOs. These efforts have been fundamental in creating safer environments for journalists and strengthening legal frameworks that support media freedom.

In addition to Canada’s generous contributions, the Fund has received substantial support from other donors, including Australia, Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, 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 and ensuring the safety of journalists.

As the GMDF continues to grow, UNESCO remains dedicated to fostering an environment where legal frameworks support a plural, free, and independent media ecosystem. The synergy between the Fund and other UNESCO initiatives, such as the Judges initiative, the Multi-Donor Programme (MDP), and the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), ensures a comprehensive approach to media freedom and journalist safety.