Media Freedom Coalition – together for freedom
Germany and Estonia are the co-chairs in 2024: more than 50 states and 20 NGOs actively promote media protection in the MFC.
Germany is a member of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), which is committed to freedom of the press and the protection of journalists worldwide. Germany and Estonia are the co-chairs of the MFC in 2024. We answer key questions about the MFC.
What is the Media Freedom Coalition?
The MFC is a global network for promoting freedom of the press and the media. 50 states, more than 20 non-governmental organisations and UNESCO are its members. It was established by the United Kingdom and Canada in 2019. Germany joined in September 2019.
Why is press and media freedom important?
A society cannot be free if its media are not. Journalists play an important role in monitoring governments and public institutions and in uncovering abuses of power, corruption and human rights violations. In 2023, 521 journalists worldwide were arbitrarily imprisoned solely because of their jobs, reports the organisation Reporters Without Borders.
Why does Germany support the Media Freedom Coalition?
Freedom of the press is enshrined in Germany’s Basic Law and is an issue that the German government takes seriously in its activities to promote freedom and democracy around the world. The Federal Foreign Office joined the MFC to help protect media professionals. Since 2022, the Federal Foreign Office’s Hannah Arendt Initiative has supported at-risk media professionals, enabling them to continue their work in exile.
How can the Media Freedom Coalition help in individual cases?
A wide range of help is available for at-risk individuals. The MFC publishes statements on critical cases or about the media freedom situation in specific countries. It also uses its networks to initiate silent diplomacy, including concerted actions by the embassies of its member countries, joint letters to the governments concerned or trial monitoring.
Which objectives is Germany pursuing in the MFC?
Germany’s efforts are centred around three major challenges.
- Geographic diversification and a broader and more diverse membership. This involves attracting new members from the Global South in particular.
- More active participation of all members. To this end, the necessary information and instruments need to be made available.
- Better networking and greater cooperation between all participating state and civil society actors. Germany is a member of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), which is committed tofreedom of the press and the protection of journalists worldwide. Germany and Estonia are the co-chairs of the MFC in 2024. We answer key questions about the MFC.
