The safety and freedom of media journalists have declined dangerously around the world. With grave negative impacts on human rights, democracy and development globally. Populist leaders have actively sought to demonize and discredit independent journalists and many governments have introduced restrictions on freedom of expression contravening international law.
Journalists around the world are under increasing economic and political pressure. The internet was designed to be a kind of free speech paradise but the fact has become something much different. Everyone should support the effort to build a free and safe environment for Science news videos of journalism. Support is required for independent and open journalism, especially where trust in the information is scarce. Democratic countries are not immune to these trends.
Funding startups seeking to enter and enrich the public debate, organizations determined to grow and innovate, and media entrepreneurs with new ideas for strengthening and defending independence journalism all over the world. Populist leaders have launched attacks on the press, while policymakers have adopted measures that clash with core press freedom principles. Democracies in every part of the world have struggled to meet the challenge of curbing rampant digital disinformation and state propaganda without also undercutting essential freedom of expression rights.
It may be a critical moment for the international community to act in defense of democracy by strengthening protection for press freedom and other essential human rights, without which it would be difficult for a democracy to exist. To come up with all this, democracy must first put their own house by shoring up protections for independent journalism at home, which will enable them to credibly differentiate media freedom as a fundamental right around the world.
Online spaces must remain a free and open channel for independent voices and independent news. Democracy should refrain from passing laws or regulations that restrict freedom of expression and information online and must ensure any measures aimed at regulating social media and online content are consistent with international human rights principles and frameworks.
Philanthropic support for journalism has also increased, with emergency funds and France established during the COVID crisis. The most effective method of securing the future of independent journalism might come from the transformation of news outlets themselves and their relationship with big tech.
Accelerated innovation in the drive to transform business models from more publishers charging for content through donations, memberships, paywalls, and subscriptions, to diversity, and finding revenue streams through online events. Maybe these investments are costly but outlet relying on hybrid business models appears to be in a stronger position.
To protect independent journalism is a public good and protecting its future should be a shared goal. With threatened journalism, democracy itself is at stake.