Enabling media markets to work for democracy

Partner Session: International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) Independent public interest media are fundamental to ensuring free and fair elections, countering misinformation, and providing a space for civil and democratic norms to thrive. But these media outlets are in crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated a chronic structural crisis, causing a catastrophic reduction in media revenues. This could lead to what the UN Secretary-General has described as a "media extinction" event, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This session will explore why an independent, coordinated, and multilateral response is vital for public interest media's development, sustainability, and independence, protecting its role as a cornerstone of democracy worldwide.