National Journalism Funds -A GFMD IMPACT Policy brief and Policy paper

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Traditional journalism paradigms and market dynamics are proving inadequate in addressing the prevalent market failures within the media sector.

There are a number of countries where funders could – with the right strategies, support, partnerships and safeguards – undertake interventions to bolster and strengthen the independence of the journalism ecosystem. As part of this, with the right levels of financial support, independence from political, industrial or other interests, a commitment to the public interest above all, and an outlook that is genuinely strategic and structural, such?'national funds for journalism' (NFJs)?could be part of a breakthrough solution for countries or regions worldwide looking to develop sustainable homegrown independent media.

National Funds for Journalism (NFJs) are, according to GFMD's working definition,?a?particular instrument for providing strategic, long-term financial support to independent public interest media and media sectors and ecosystems.

Examples of long-standing funds, such as the one in?Argentina, offer compelling evidence that?economic support initiatives for the sector are essential and effective tools for achieving objectives like increased diversity and pluralism in the media landscape and enhanced public participation in the media. And communities worldwide are increasingly actively seeking innovative solutions. Recently,?Sierra Leone?launched the National Fund for Public Interest Media, with support from both national and international stakeholders.

We're excited to share two new briefings today designed to inform efforts to advocate for, design and build such NFJs?around the world:

• a?policy brief on national funds?initiated and funded specifically by governments, authored by?Anya Schiffrin?and?Brigitte Alfter.?This paper served as the foundation for an open consultation titled "State of the Field - National Journalism Funds" in July 2023.
• a broader?policy paper looking at all types of funds?and presenting the state of the field, drawing on the July 2023 consultation, and authored by?Sameer Padania?and?Francesca Silvani of Macroscope London.

Finally, GFDM IMPACT has compiled a comprehensive and growing spreadsheet with examples of a variety of government-supported and national journalism funds featuring examples and literature on more than 40 national journalism funds in this ever-evolving field.

These publications and the spreadsheet of funds illustrate that across various regions, diverse stakeholders are exploring or actively advocating for various types of NFJs as a crucial element in utilising both public and private funds to address the well-recognised financial crisis confronting independent public interest media.

READ THE FULL BRIEFING HERE

How can you contribute?

• Use our policy paper and policy brief in your work. If you wish to use this paper, or would like to invite one of our members or partners to take part in discussions, working groups, or conferences related to national journalism funds please contact the GFMD IMPACT help desk: [email protected].
• Add to and update this evolving spreadsheet of over 40 examples and case studies of national journalism funds from around the world.?
• Let us know if the literature review should be updated with further evidence,?insights and knowledge from the field.

???Check out the?full version of the newsletter?here?to find out more about?a white paper on long-term financial support for Ukrainian media, call for applications for CIJI regional investigative media hubs, a charter on AI in the media?as well as our round-up of the best resources and media policy engagement opportunities.?